Which of the following is true as the cars of a rollercoaster race down a hill?
Responses
Some energy is destroyed as the cars slow down.
Some energy is destroyed as the cars slow down.
Kinetic energy is stored in the cars as they move downhill.
Kinetic energy is stored in the cars as they move downhill.
The kinetic energy of the cars is equal to the potential energy of the cars.
The kinetic energy of the cars is equal to the potential energy of the cars.
Some potential energy is transformed to kinetic energy and other forms of energy.
Some potential energy is transformed to kinetic energy and other forms of energy.
Some potential energy is transformed to kinetic energy and other forms of energy.
The correct option is:
Some potential energy is transformed to kinetic energy and other forms of energy.
When the cars of a rollercoaster race down a hill, their potential energy (energy of position) is converted to kinetic energy (energy of motion). As the cars descend, their potential energy decreases, while their kinetic energy increases. This conversion of energy from potential to kinetic occurs because gravity is doing work on the cars, causing them to accelerate. Additionally, some of the potential energy may be transformed into other forms of energy, such as heat and sound, due to friction and air resistance. Therefore, option 4 is true.