A science class goes to an amusement park to investigate potential and kinetic energy. Which action best demonstrates potential energy being transformed into kinetic energy?
Responses
a roller coaster slowly climbs the tall hill at the beginning of the ride
a roller coaster slowly climbs the tall hill at the beginning of the ride
a bungee jumper is released at the top of a tall tower and starts to fall
a bungee jumper is released at the top of a tall tower and starts to fall
a moving bumper car slams into another bumper car that is sitting still
a moving bumper car slams into another bumper car that is sitting still
a fireworks rocket shoots upward into the night sky above the park
a fireworks rocket shoots upward into the night sky above the park
The action that best demonstrates potential energy being transformed into kinetic energy is "a bungee jumper is released at the top of a tall tower and starts to fall."
The action that best demonstrates potential energy being transformed into kinetic energy is when a bungee jumper is released at the top of a tall tower and starts to fall. To understand why this is the correct answer, let's break it down:
Potential energy refers to the energy that an object possesses due to its position or condition. In this case, the bungee jumper has potential energy stored as they are at the top of the tall tower. The higher they are, the more potential energy they have.
Kinetic energy, on the other hand, is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. As the bungee jumper is released from the top of the tower, they start to fall and gain speed. As they descend, their potential energy gradually transforms into kinetic energy. The higher the jumper falls, the more their potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.
Therefore, the action of a bungee jumper being released at the top of a tall tower and starting to fall best demonstrates the transformation of potential energy into kinetic energy in the context of investigating potential and kinetic energy at an amusement park.