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Conversion of Potential and Kinetic Energy

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 11mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which graph BEST shows the relationship of kinetic energy to potential energy as a book sits on the edge of a desk?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

2.

Which graph BEST shows the relationship of kinetic energy (solid line) to potential energy (dotted line) as a hawk dives downward toward its prey and then returns to its original position in the air?

a)
b)
c)
d)
3.

This graph MOST LIKELY describes the potential energy and kinetic energy of a roller coaster going

a)

up a hill.

b)

up a hill and then rolling back down the other side.

c)

down a hill.

d)

down a hill and then rolling back up the other side.

4.

According to the graph, which of the these remains constant throughout?

a)

Time

b)

potential energy

c)

kinetic energy

d)

total amount of energy

5.

Instead of rolling down the ramp over the step, imagine the ball falls off the back of the ramp directly to the ground. What is the amount of potential energy remaining after the ball lands on the ground?

a)

100J

b)

0J

c)

25J

d)

50J

6.

Which point on the pendulum's swing represents the minimum potential energy?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

7.

According to the picture, how would the gravitational potential energy of the car change if its weight was doubled?

a)

The gravitational potential energy would be cut in half.

b)

The gravitational potential energy would stay the same

c)

The gravitational potential energy would be doubled.

d)

The gravitational potential energy would be increased by 750.

8.

At what point on the hill will the car have zero gravitational potential energy?

a)

At the bottom of the hill.

b)

At the top of the hill.

c)

Half-way down the hill.

d)

It will never have zero gravitational potential energy

9.

A ball is projected into the air. Describe the change(s) in potential and kinetic energy.

a)

Potential energy decreases and kinetic energy increases.

b)

Kinetic energy increases and potential energy decreases.

c)

Potential energy decreases while kinetic energy increases; then kinetic energy decreases and potential energy increases.

d)

Kinetic energy decreases as potential energy increases; once at the top, potential energy decreases as kinetic energy increases.

10.

How would you describe the relationship between the mass of a car and its kinetic energy?

a)

As the mass of a car increases, its kinetic energy decreases.

b)

As the mass of a car increases, its kinetic energy increases.

c)

As the mass of a car decreases, its kinetic energy increases.

d)

There is no clear relationship between mass and kinetic energy.

11.

What form of energy does a compressed spring have?

a)

heat energy

b)

kinetic energy

c)

potential energy

d)

chemical energy

12.

The rock in the picture is pushed over the edge and it begins to fall. Which type of energy conversion is taking place?

a)

potential to kinetic

b)

sound to mechanical

c)

mechanical to heat

d)

kinetic to potential

13.

Which type of energy transformation does NOT describe potential energy being changed into kinetic energy?

a)

A ball falling off a shelf.

b)

A bike coasting down a hill.

c)

Releasing a stretched rubber band.

d)

Compressing a spring.

14.

A ball is falling after rolling off a tall roof. The ball has

a)

potential energy only.

b)

both kinetic and potential energy.

c)

kinetic energy only.

d)

neither kinetic or potential energy.

15.

A ball is tossed up in the air. At its peak, it stops before beginning to fall. The ball at its peak has

a)

potential energy only.

b)

kinetic energy only.

c)

both kinetic and potential energy.

d)

neither kinetic or potential energy.

16.

A soap box derby car at the top of a ramp has more _________ energy and at the finish line at the bottom of the ramp it has more _________ energy.

a)

kinetic, potential

b)

kinetic, kinetic

c)

potential, kinetic

d)

potential, potential

17.

A drawn bow possesses mechanical energy in the form of _______________. After the arrow is released, the energy is transformed into _________________.

a)

elastic kinetic energy; mechanical kinetic energy

b)

gravitational potential energy; kinetic energy

c)

potential energy; mechanical energy

d)

elastic potential energy; kinetic energy

18.

A new cannon was being developed in a science lab. The instructor wanted to do some testing of the cannon's ability to launch objects with different masses. The instructor used tennis balls and filled them with lead, rocks, and styrofoam. The fourth tennis ball had nothing in it. The instructor fired each tennis ball with the same speed and measured the kinetic energy of each over a period of one second.


Determine which tennis ball had rocks in it and explain.

a)

Green represents rocks because it is not as dense as lead and would likely have less mass than lead.

b)

Green represents rocks because the rocks would occupy less volume than lead but more than styrofoam.

c)

Purple represents rocks because it traveled faster than all the other objects since it is less dense.

d)

Purple represents rocks because it has more mass than all the other objects.

19.

A pole vaulter runs forward, plants his pole, rises in the air and lands. What point represents his greatest amount of gravitational potential energy?

a)

after take-off as the pole expands and lifts the vaulter toward the bar

b)

just before he starts to fall to the ground

c)

as he runs forward to plant the pole

d)

when he initially lands

20.

Which point on the roller coaster's path represents the maximum kinetic energy?

a)

D

b)

C

c)

B

d)

A