Energy STAAR Bootcamp W4

A snowboarder practices sliding down a hill. The diagram shows three positions of the snowboarder.

Which table best compares the amounts of potential energy and kinetic energy of the snowboarder at each position?

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• 
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Answer explanation

Higher up on the hill the more potential energy the snowboarder has. As they go down the hill, snowboarder's kinetic energy increases due to speed and potential energy decreases.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

A demonstration helps students understand a principle of roller coaster design. Which answer choice correctly describes the ball's kinetic and potential energy?

• The ball has more potential energy at position X than at position Z.

• The ball has more kinetic energy at position Y than at position W.

• The potential energy and kinetic energy of the ball are equal at position X.

• The potential energy and kinetic energy of the ball are greatest at position Z.

Answer explanation

At position Y, the ball is moving faster, indicating higher kinetic energy compared to position W, where it is higher and slower.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

A marble is given potential energy by being placed at Location W. When the marble is released, it rolls down the track. At which location does the marble have maximum kinetic energy?

• Location W

• Location X

• Location Y

• Location Z

Answer explanation

The marble has maximum kinetic energy at Location Y, as it is the lowest point in the track. At this point, all potential energy has converted to kinetic energy, making it the fastest and thus having maximum kinetic energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

A bicycle rider is traveling up a hill. When the rider reaches the top of the hill, she stops to rest. Then she travels down the hill. The diagram shows the rider in the three different positions. Which of these correctly describes the potential energy and the kinetic energy of the bicycle rider?

• When the rider is at the top of the hill, her potential energy is the greatest, and her kinetic energy is the least.

• As the rider moves up the hill, her kinetic energy increases, and her potential energy decreases.

• When the rider goes down the hill, her potential energy increases, and her kinetic energy decreases.

• As the rider reaches the bottom of the hill, her kinetic energy and her potential energy decrease.

Answer explanation

When the rider is at the top of the hill, she has the highest potential energy due to her elevation, while her kinetic energy is minimal since she is at rest. This correctly describes her energy state at that position.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

The image shows a roller coaster cart moving along a track.

Which statement BEST describes the kinetic and potential energies of the cart at Location X compared with the kinetic and potential energies of the cart at Location Y?

• The cart has more potential energy and less kinetic energy at Location X than it has at Location Y.

• The cart has less potential energy and more kinetic energy at Location X than it has at Location Y.

• The cart has the same amounts of potential energy and kinetic energy at Location X as it has at Location Y.

• The cart has more potential energy and kinetic energy at Location X than it has at Location Y.

Answer explanation

At Location X, the cart is higher on the track, giving it more potential energy and less kinetic energy as it moves slower. At Location Y, it is lower, resulting in less potential energy and more kinetic energy as it speeds up.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Students build a circuit. The circuit has wires that connect a battery to a switch and a fan.

Which energy transformations happen when the students close the circuit and the blades of the fan begin to spin?

• Chemical to mechanical to electrical

• Electrical to chemical to mechanical

• Chemical to electrical to mechanical

• Mechanical to electrical to chemical

Answer explanation

When the circuit is closed, chemical energy from the battery is converted to electrical energy, which then powers the fan, transforming it into mechanical energy as the blades spin. Thus, the correct transformation is chemical to electrical to mechanical.

A cook heats a meal in a microwave oven. What energy transformations occur between the microwave oven and the meal?

• Electrical energy -> light energy -> chemical energy

• Chemical energy -> thermal energy -> light energy

• Electrical energy -> electromagnetic energy -> thermal energy

• Chemical energy -> electromagnetic energy -> chemical energy

Answer explanation

The correct transformation is electrical energy to electromagnetic energy (microwaves), which then converts to thermal energy, heating the meal. Other options do not accurately represent the process.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

A teacher rubbed a match against a piece of sandpaper. The match started to burn. Which statement best describes the energy changes that occurred?

• The chemical energy stored in the match changed to thermal energy and light energy.

• The thermal energy stored in the match changed to thermal energy and chemical energy.

• The light energy and thermal energy stored in the match changed to mechanical energy.

• The light energy and thermal energy stored in the match changed to chemical energy.

Answer explanation

The match contains chemical energy, which is released as it burns. This energy transforms into thermal energy (heat) and light energy (flame), making the first answer choice correct.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

When a lion eats a zebra and then uses the energy from the zebra to run, the lion's body converts -

• chemical energy to mechanical energy

• electrical energy to chemical energy

• chemical energy to light energy

• mechanical energy to chemical energy

Answer explanation

When a lion eats a zebra, it converts the chemical energy stored in the zebra's body into mechanical energy to run. This process highlights the transformation of energy types, making 'chemical energy to mechanical energy' the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-7

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

The blades of wind turbine are at rest until the movement of air causes the blades to spin.

Which energy transformation happens when the blades are spinning as shown?

• Electrical to mechanical

• Chemical to electrical

• Mechanical to electrical

• Chemical to mechanical

Answer explanation

When the wind causes the turbine blades to spin, the mechanical energy from the moving blades is transformed into electrical energy, which is why the correct choice is mechanical to electrical.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-5