Unit 1: PS3-2: Gravitational Potential Energy

Philip rode his motorcycle from the bottom of a hill to the top of the hill. Complete the statement. Assume that the motorcycle's mass did not change.

The GPE stored between the motorcycle and earth ___________ as Phillip rode up the hill.

• increased

• decreased

• stayed the same

Ron and Ernesto were playing air hockey on a level table. When Ron hit the hockey puck, it slid quickly toward Ernesto's goal. Complete the statement. Assume that the hockey puck's mass did not change.

The GPE stored between the hockey puck and earth ________ as the hockey puck slid towards the goal.

• increased

• decreased

• stayed the same

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

A whale was swimming deep in the ocean. After a few minutes, the whale swam to the surface of the water to breathe. Complete the statement. Assume that the whale's mass did not change.

The GPE stored between the whale and earth _____ as the whale swam to the surface.

• increased

• decreased

• stayed the same

Vicky was walking with a helium balloon when the balloon's string slipped out of her hand. The balloon floated toward the sky. Complete the statement. Assume that the balloon's mass did not change.

The GPE stored between the balloon and earth __ as the balloon floated toward the sky

• increased

• decreased

• stayed the same

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

In a locker room, a softball was sitting in the middle of a level bench. Simon bumped the bench and the softball rolled toward the edge. Then, the softball fell off the bench, hit the ground, and rolled quickly along the flat floor of the locker room. Simon tried to grab the ball, but he could not reach it before it rolled underneath some lockers.

When was the most gravitational potential energy stored between the softball and Earth? Assume that the softball's mass did not change.

• when the ball was sitting in the middle of the bench

• when the ball was about to hit the locker room floor

• when the ball was rolling quickly towards the lockers

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

During a baseball game, Keith hit the ball with his bat. The ball flew up into the air until it began to drop toward the ground. Two players on the other team ran to try to catch the ball, but neither of them could reach it in time. As the ball landed on the field, the crowd cheered for Keith.

When was the most gravitational potential energy stored between the baseball and Earth? Assume that the baseball's mass did not change.

• when the ball had just been hit by Keith's bat

• when the ball was the farthest off the ground

• when the ball was about to land on the field

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

A blue jay was sleeping in its nest near the top of a pine tree. The blue jay woke up and needed to eat, so it flew to the ground to look for food. When the blue jay landed on the ground, it saw that there was no food around. Then, the blue jay looked up and saw a bird feeder on a low branch of a nearby pine tree. The blue jay flew to the bird feeder and perched on it to eat.

When was the least gravitational potential energy stored between the blue jay and Earth? Assume that the blue jay's mass did not change.

• when the blue jay was asleep in its nest

• when the blue jay landed on the ground

• when the blue jay perched on the bird feeder

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

In a public pool, Joey held an inflatable ball above his head and then pushed the ball down into the water. Joey could feel the ball pushing up against his hands while he held it steady underwater. After a few seconds, he let the ball go. The ball rose to the surface of the water and floated in the pool.

When was the least gravitational potential energy stored between the ball and Earth? Assume that the ball's mass did not change.

• when the ball was above Joey's head

• when the ball was pushing against Joey's hands underwater

• when the ball was floating on the surface of the pool

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2