A demonstration helps students understand a principle of roller coaster design. An image of this is shown below. Which answer choice correct describes the ball’s kinetic and potential energy?
A. The ball has more potential energy at position X than at position Z.
B. The ball has more kinetic energy at position Y than position W.
C. The potential energy and kinetic energy of the ball are equal at position X.
D. The potential energy and kinetic energy of the ball are greatest at position Z.
Based on the given image, the answer is:
B. The ball has more kinetic energy at position Y than position W.
At position Y, the ball is at its highest point on the roller coaster. Since kinetic energy depends on the velocity of an object, the ball has the most velocity and therefore the most kinetic energy at this point. At position W, the ball is at its lowest point on the roller coaster and has the least velocity, meaning it has the least kinetic energy at this point.