6th Grade Energy Unit

A heavy ball is tied to the end of a string that is attached to the ceiling. When the ball is pulled back and released, it swings back and forth as shown in the picture below. How does the energy of the ball change as it moves from position 3 to position 1?

• The potential energy increases and the kinetic energy decreases.

• The potential energy increases and the kinetic energy increases.

• The potential energy decreases and the kinetic energy increases.

• The potential energy decreases and the kinetic energy decreases.

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The diagram below represents a bicyclist at the top of a hill, with four points labeled W, X, Y, and Z. Assume that the bicyclist does not apply the brakes as he rides down the hill. At which point will the bicyclist’s kinetic energy be closest to zero?

• point W

• point X

• point Y

• point Z

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Which of the following has only potential energy?

• A baseball traveling through the air.

• A book sitting on top of a tall table.

• A ball rolling across the gym floor.

• A rock falling off a cliff.

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Jarod is holding a rubber band. If he wants to increase the rubber band’s potential energy, he could do all of the following except for which one?

• He could stretch it out more.

• He could place it on a shelf above his head.

• He could place it on the floor.

• He could lift it higher above the floor.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-2

Tiger Woods places a golf ball on the ground and swings his golf club. The golf club hits the ball, sending it flying through the air. What happens to the golf ball when it is hit?

• Kinetic energy is created in the golf ball when it is hit.

• The kinetic energy of the golf club is destroyed when it hits the ball.

• Potential energy is created in the golf ball when it is hit.

• Kinetic energy from the club is transferred into the ball.

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The diagram below shows the path taken by a ball after it was kicked. The ball bounced twice before rolling to a stop at position 4. At which position did the ball have no kinetic energy?

• Position 1

• Position 2

• Position 3

• Position 4

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In a video game, Shawna designed the roller coaster shown below. She was disappointed when she tested it because the roller coaster couldn’t make it to the point 5 at the top of the second hill. How does the law of conservation of energy explain this?

• a. Energy is destroyed as the cars move along the track.

• b. The track going up the second hill goes upward too quickly.

• c. Energy would have to be created to allow the cars to make it to point 5.

• d. Not enough potential energy is created as the cars move down the first hill.

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Jamiah rides his horse in a race. The graph below displays the horse’s motion during a portion of the race. Which of the following statements best describes the horse’s motion?

• The horse was not moving during this portion of the race.

• The horse’s speed was constant during this portion of the race.

• The horse accelerated constantly during this portion of the race.

• The horse accelerated, then decelerated during this portion of the race.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Michelle and Latoya are bicycling across town along a flat road. A portion of their trip is graphed below. Based on the graph, which of the following is true?

• Michelle traveled at a greater speed than Latoya.

• Michelle and Latoya both traveled at the same speed.

• Latoya traveled for a shorter time compared to Michelle.

• Latoya traveled at a greater speed than Michelle.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-1

On a graph showing distance versus time, Marc drew a horizontal line to show an object's motion. Which of the following statements best describes how Marc's graph could be interpreted?

• Marc’s object was moving forward at a constant speed.

• Marc’s object was decreasing its speed.

• Marc’s object was increasing its speed.

• Marc’s object was not moving at all.