Midterm Review 2025

What is the definition of kinetic energy?

• The energy possessed by an object due to its motion

• The energy stored in an object due to its position

• The energy released during a chemical reaction

• The energy associated with the temperature of an object

Answer explanation

Kinetic energy is defined as the energy an object possesses due to its motion. This distinguishes it from potential energy, which is related to an object's position, and other forms of energy mentioned in the other choices.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Which of the following statements is true about kinetic energy?

• A) Greater speed leads to lesser kinetic energy.

• B) Greater mass leads to lesser kinetic energy.

• C) Greater speed leads to greater kinetic energy.

• D) Greater mass does not affect kinetic energy.

Answer explanation

Kinetic energy is given by the formula KE = 1/2 mv². This shows that as speed (v) increases, kinetic energy increases, making option C true. Greater speed indeed leads to greater kinetic energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

According to the graph, what is the relationship between mass and kinetic energy?

• Kinetic energy is directly proportional to mass. (linear)

• As kinetic energy increases, mass decreases.

• Kinetic energy is independent of mass.

• As Kinetic Energy increases, mass increases exponentially.

Answer explanation

The graph shows that as mass increases, kinetic energy also increases linearly, indicating a direct proportionality between the two. Thus, the correct choice is that kinetic energy is directly proportional to mass.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

A car traveling at 60 mph has more kinetic energy than the same car at 30 mph. True or False?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. Kinetic energy is calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 mv². As speed increases, the kinetic energy increases with the square of the speed, so a car at 60 mph has significantly more kinetic energy than at 30 mph.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

What is the definition of potential energy?

• Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position or height

• Potential energy is the energy an object has due to its motion.

• Potential energy is the energy released during a chemical reaction.

• Potential energy is the energy produced by an electric current.

Answer explanation

Potential energy is defined as the energy an object possesses due to its position or height, making the first answer choice correct. The other options describe different forms of energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

Which of the following statements is true about potential energy?

• Higher height leads to less potential energy.

• Heavier objects have less potential energy.

• Objects at their highest point have the most potential energy.

• Objects at ground level have the most potential energy.

Answer explanation

Potential energy increases with height. Therefore, objects at their highest point have the most potential energy, while those at ground level have the least. The other statements are incorrect.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

What is the relationship between speed and kinetic energy as shown in the graph?

• Kinetic energy decreases as speed increases

• Kinetic energy increases and so does speed (linearly).

• Kinetic energy increases and so does speed (exponentially).

• Kinetic energy and speed have not relationship.

Answer explanation

Kinetic energy is given by the formula KE = 1/2 mv², indicating that it increases with the square of speed. Therefore, as speed increases, kinetic energy increases exponentially, confirming the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

An object at the top of a building has more potential energy than the same object at ground level.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. Potential energy depends on an object's height above ground level. An object at the top of a building has greater height, thus more potential energy compared to the same object at ground level.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

What happens to objects as they fall to the ground due to gravity?

• They accelerate (speed up)

• They slow down as they approach the ground.

• They remain at a constant speed throughout the fall.

• They move upwards due to air resistance.

Answer explanation

As objects fall, they accelerate due to gravity, meaning they speed up until they reach terminal velocity, where air resistance balances the force of gravity. Thus, the correct answer is that they accelerate (speed up).

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

What does the Law of Conservation of Energy state?

• Energy can be created or destroyed.

• Energy can be transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or destroyed.

• Energy is always increasing in the universe.

• Energy is always decreasing in the universe.

Answer explanation

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. This means the correct choice is that energy can be transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or destroyed.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS3-1

NGSS.HS-PS3-2

NGSS.HS-PS3-3

NGSS.HS-PS3-4