Potential Energy Sample Questions

Dylan puts two magnetic toy trains very close to each other on a track. What will happen next, and why?

• The trains will not move because the magnets are not touching.

• The trains will move closer to each other because the magnetic force will pull the trains together.

• The trains will move away from each other because the magnetic force will push the trains apart.

• The trains will move away from each other because the magnets are not touching.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-3

Dakota moves a magnetic toy train toward a magnet that cannot move. What happens to the potential energy in the system of magnets during the movement?

• The potential energy increases because the train moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because the train moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because the train moves in the same direction as the magnetic force.

• The potential energy does not change because the magnets in the system do not change.

Tags

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Pablo sets identical magnetic carts on two tracks. At the end of each track is a large magnet that cannot move. Pablo can move the carts one space to the left or one space to the right. Which movement will increase the potential energy in the system the most?

• Moving the cart on Track 1 one space to the right (>).

• Moving the cart on Track 1 one space to the left (<).

• Moving the cart on Track 2 one space to the left (<).

• All these movements will result in the same change in potential energy because they each move a cart the same distance.

In a computer simulation, Noni moves a magnet (Magnet 1) away from another magnet (Magnet 2) that cannot move. Which statement accurately describes the change in potential energy?

• The potential energy does not change because the magnets in the system do not change.

• The potential energy decreases because Magnet 1 moves in the same direction as the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because Magnet 1 moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy increases because Magnet 1 moves against the magnetic force.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

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An engineer is investigating potential energy with two identical magnetic roller coaster cars on different sides of a center magnet that cannot move. For the experiment, the engineer will move one car one space. Which movement will result in the largest increase in potential energy?

• Moving Car 2 one space toward the center magnet.

• Moving Car 1 one space away from the center magnet.

• Moving Car 1 car one space toward the center magnet.

• All these movements will result in the same change in potential energy because they each move a car the same distance.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

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Katrina moves a magnetic toy train toward a magnet that cannot move. What happens to the potential energy in the system of magnets during the move?

• The potential energy increases because the train moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because the train moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because the train moves in the same direction as the magnetic force.

• The potential energy does not change because the magnets in the system do not change.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

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Peter sets identical magnetic carts on two tracks. At the end of each track is a large magnet that cannot move. Peter can move the carts one space to the left or one space to the right. Which movement will increase the potential energy in the system the most?

• Moving the cart on Track 1 one space to the right (>).

• Moving the cart on Track 1 one space to the left (<).

• Moving the cart on Track 2 one space to the left (<).

• All these movements will result in the same change in potential energy because they each move a magnetic cart the same distance.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

In a computer simulation, Ayesha moves a magnet (Magnet 2) away from another magnet (Magnet 1) that cannot move. Which statement accurately describes the change in potential energy?

• The potential energy does not change because the magnets in the system do not change.

• The potential energy decreases because Magnet 2 moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because Magnet 2 moves in the same direction as the magnetic force.

• The potential energy increases because Magnet 2 moves against the magnetic force.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

If you moved the magnet on the right away from the magnet on the left, what will happen to the potential energy?

• nothing

• the PE will decrease

• the PE will increase

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NGSS.MS-PS3-2

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If you move the magnet on the right away from the other magnet what happens to the potential energy?

• the PE decreases because you are moving the magnet against the magnetic field

• the PE increases because you are moving the magnet against the magnetic field

• no need to move

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

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