Potential Energy

The illustration shows a roller coaster and indicates four different positions the car might be at as it moves along the track. Identify the point in the roller coaster’s journey at which it has the least potential energy, and explain why.

Answer explanation

The roller coaster has the least potential energy at point W because it is the closest to ground level there.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

A truck is parked at the bottom of a hill. It moves from the bottom of a hill and parks at the top. How does the truck’s potential energy when it is at the bottom of the hill compare to its potential energy when it is at the top of the hill?

Answer explanation

The truck’s potential energy is greater at the top of the hill than it is at the bottom of the hill.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

The image here shows four soccer balls at four different locations on an uneven soccer field very near sea level. Which soccer ball has the greatest amount of potential energy and why?

Answer explanation

Soccer ball B has the greatest amount of potential energy since it has the same mass as all the other balls but is higher than them.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

What factors increase the potential energy of an object?

Answer explanation

Increasing the height or mass of an object

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

If you were designing a roller coaster, why would it be important to consider PE?

Answer explanation

A roller coaster with too little PE might not be able to complete the entire track or go uphill, & a roller coaster with too much PE may travel too fast and be dangerous to the riders.

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Imagine you are at a playground with a slide. At what point on the slide does your kinetic energy increase while your potential energy decreases?

Answer explanation

You would have the maximum PE at the top of the slide. As you go down the slide, your kinetic energy increases as your potential energy decreases.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

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Two balloons are given an electrostatic charge by rubbing them with a wool cloth. Which observation provides evidence of the force that the balloons exert on each other over a distance because of their charge?

• Both Balloon 1 and Balloon 2 are pulled downward by the force of gravity.

•  Moving Balloon 1 can make Balloon 2 move without the balloons touching.

• The amount of rubbing with the wool cloth can change the amount of charge.

• The charge of the balloons gets weaker over time until there is no charge.

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An illustration of a roller coaster is provided. At which point in the roller coaster’s journey along the track does it have the greatest potential energy?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

Two magnets rest on a table. Because like poles of a magnet repel each other, the magnets exert a force on each other. If Magnet 1 is moved closer to Magnet 2, Magnet 2 will move because–

• Forces can affect objects over a distance.

• Moving Magnet 1 changed the force needed to move Magnet 2.

• Objects need to touch each other in order to cause movement.

• Magnets can only exert a force on other magnets.

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At which position on the diagram would the apple have the greatest potential energy?

• Position 1

• Position 2

• Position 3

• Position 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2