Science Field Trip Quiz

Look at the diagram. Your science class goes on a field trip to the nearby amusement park for an assignment. Before riding the roller coaster, your teacher has you observe other riders. At what point will the roller coaster car have transformed the greatest amount of gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Answer explanation

The roller coaster car transforms the greatest amount of gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy at point X, as it is at the highest elevation before descending, maximizing the energy conversion as it moves downward.

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Choose the terms, in order, that best complete the sentence. As the car moves down the slope, the amount of ______ energy decreases while the amount of ____________ energy increases.

• kinetic; potential

• potential; kinetic

• mechanical; kinetic

• potential; mechanical

Answer explanation

As the car moves down the slope, it loses height, causing potential energy to decrease. Simultaneously, its speed increases, leading to an increase in kinetic energy. Thus, the correct terms are 'potential' and 'kinetic'.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Which sentence ending describes the correct path by which energy is transferred through the roller coaster? Between Point W and Point Z, the total amount of energy in the car _____

• stayed the same; it gained gravitational potential energy but lost kinetic energy.

• stayed the same; it lost gravitational potential energy but gained kinetic energy.

• changed; it gained gravitational potential energy and gained kinetic energy.

• changed; it lost gravitational potential energy and lost kinetic energy.

Answer explanation

Between Point W and Point Z, the car's total energy stayed the same due to the conservation of energy. It lost gravitational potential energy as it descended but gained kinetic energy as it accelerated.

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Look at the diagram of a light bulb on a simple circuit. Over time, the battery loses power and the bulb dims. Finally, it goes out. What happened to the energy?

• The battery creates new energy.

• There is no energy being transformed by the system.

• Energy is being destroyed by the system.

• Energy is leaving the system in the form of light.

Answer explanation

As the battery powers the bulb, energy is transformed into light. When the battery loses power, the bulb dims and eventually goes out, indicating that energy is leaving the system in the form of light.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Choose the words, in order, that correctly complete each sentence. Potential energy changing to kinetic energy is an example of energy___. _______ can be transformed into a different form but is never created nor destroyed, so the total amount never changes. _______ implies that a loss of energy in one part of a system must correspond to a gain of energy in another part of the same system. Water that is held back by a dam is an example of ______energy. Water flowing over a dam is an example of potential energy being transformed into __energy. Which terms best fit the sentences?

• A. transformation; Gravity; Conservation of energy; kinetic; potential

• B. transfer; Motion; Law of motion; kinetic; potential

• C. transformation; Energy; Conservation of energy; potential; kinetic

• D. transfer; Matter; Law of motion; potential; kinetic

Answer explanation

Choice C correctly completes the sentences: 'transformation' describes energy change, 'Energy' is the general term, 'Conservation of energy' states energy is neither created nor destroyed, 'potential' and 'kinetic' fit the examples given.

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Describe an energy transformation that occurs in photosynthesis. Include the concept of energy conservation.

Answer explanation

In photosynthesis, light energy is transformed into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process conserves energy by converting sunlight into a usable form, demonstrating the principle of energy conservation.

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Look at the diagram. Food webs are a great way to illustrate conservation of energy. Using the organisms in the food web, describe how energy is conserved as it is transferred and transformed through the food web. Include the organisms shown.

Answer explanation

Energy is conserved in the food web as it flows from producers like plants to primary consumers such as herbivores, and then to secondary consumers like carnivores. Each transfer involves energy loss as heat, but the total energy remains constant.

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Which is an example of an energy transformation from chemical to electrical to light energy?

• A bolt of lightning causing thunder

• A candle lighting up a room

• A campfire warming up and illuminating an area

• A battery causing a flashlight to shine

Answer explanation

A battery transforms chemical energy into electrical energy, which then powers a flashlight to produce light energy. This process exemplifies the transformation from chemical to electrical to light energy.