Comparing Potential Energy

Liam pulls back on a rubber band in his slingshot and releases it. The rubber band snaps forward, launching a small stone into the air.

What happens to the elastic potential energy of the rubber band as it launches the stone?

• The elastic potential energy is stored in the stone as it flies through the air.

• The elastic potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the rubber band snaps forward.

• The elastic potential energy remains constant throughout the entire process

• The elastic potential energy is converted into heat as the rubber band launches the stone.

Answer explanation

As Liam releases the rubber band, the elastic potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, propelling the stone forward. Thus, the correct choice is that the elastic potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the rubber band snaps.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

A student winds up the rubber band in a toy airplane and releases it. The airplane propeller spins rapidly, causing the airplane to fly across the room.

• The elastic potential energy is converted into kinetic energy to make the airplane move forward.

• The elastic potential energy stays constant as the airplane flies.

• The elastic potential energy is transformed into gravitational potential energy in the airplane.

• The elastic potential energy is absorbed by the air, helping the plane fly higher.

Answer explanation

When the rubber band is released, its stored elastic potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the airplane to move forward rapidly. This explains why the correct choice is that the energy is converted into kinetic energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

A car burns gasoline to move. As the moves on the highway, it speeds up and releases exhaust gases.

• Kinetic energy is stored in gasoline and is used when the car accelerates.

• Chemical potential energy in gasoline is converted into kinetic energy, making the car move

• Chemical potential energy in gasoline is converted into gravitational potential energy.

• Kinetic energy in the car is converted into chemical potential energy in the engine.

Answer explanation

The correct choice explains that chemical potential energy in gasoline is converted into kinetic energy, which powers the car's movement. This process allows the car to accelerate and release exhaust gases.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Based on the diagram, in a hydroelectric dam, water stored at a height is an example of stored potential energy.

When the water flows down and turns turbines, it generates electricity through the conversion of this energy to which other type?

• Gravitational potential to elastic potential

• Chemical potential to kinetic

• Gravitational potential to Kinetic

• Elastic potential to chemical potential

Answer explanation

In a hydroelectric dam, water at height has gravitational potential energy. As it flows down, this energy converts to kinetic energy, which is used to turn turbines and generate electricity. Thus, the correct conversion is gravitational potential to kinetic.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Emma is studying how rubber bands launch small toys. She uses two different rubber bands to launch a toy car. Emma measures measures how far the car travels with each rubber band.

(Refer to the Chart)

Answer explanation

Elastic potential energy in the stretched rubber band is high because it stores energy when stretched. When the rubber band is released, the stored energy is converted into kinetic energy, which propels the car. The data shows this relationship because greater stretch results in longer distances. As the rubber band stretches more, the kinetic energy of the launched car increases, which means the car travels farther.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-5