Directions: A student investigates the relationship between gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy by sliding a smooth ice cube along the inside of a large punch bowl. The diagram below shows five positions of the cube in the bowl. Use this diagram to answer any questions that follow.

Image

At which position is the kinetic energy of the ice cube the greatest?
A.
II

B.
III

C.
IV

D.
V

The correct answer is:

D. V

Position V is where the ice cube is at the bottom of the bowl and has the highest speed, therefore the highest kinetic energy.