Middle School Physical Science : Middle School Physical Science
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Potential And Kinetic Energy
Given ONLY the information in the picture above, which of these sets of objects would have more gravitational potential energy?
the set that is 100 km apart
We do not have enough information because we don't know the mass of the objects.
the set that is 10km apart
We do not have enough information because we don't know the mass of the objects.
The answer is "we do not have enough information because we don't know the mass of the objects."
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
Example Question #1 : Identify Where Potential Energy Is Least Or Greatest As An Object Changes Position
Would a ball have more gravitational potential energy when it is kicked in the air, or when it's on the ground?
when it's on the ground
when it is in the air
neither
both
when it is in the air
The answer is "when it is in the air" because when objects are positioned higher off the ground they have more gravitational potential energy.
Potential Energy is “stored energy.” It is energy that is ready to be converted or released as another type of energy. We most often think of potential energy as gravitational potential energy. When objects are higher up, they are ready to fall back down. When you stretch an object and it has a tendency to return to its original shape, it is said to have elastic potential energy. Chemical potential energy is the stored energy in a substance’s chemical structure that can be released in a chemical reaction or as heat.
Potential energy is greatest when the most energy is stored. This could be when an object reaches its highest point in the air before falling, a rollercoaster just before it drops, or when a rubber band is stretched as far back as possible before it snaps. Potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy.
Example Question #2 : Identify Where Potential Energy Is Least Or Greatest As An Object Changes Position
This image of people on a rollercoaster shows:
the moment that potential energy is at its least as its being converted to kinetic energy
the moment that kinetic energy is at its maximum
the moment that potential energy is no longer at its maximum and begins converting to kinetic energy
the moment that potential and kinetic energy are equal
the moment that potential energy is no longer at its maximum and begins converting to kinetic energy
The answer is "the moment that potential energy is no longer at its maximum and begins converting to kinetic energy."
Potential Energy is “stored energy.” It is energy that is ready to be converted or released as another type of energy. We most often think of potential energy as gravitational potential energy. When objects are higher up, they are ready to fall back down. When you stretch an object and it has a tendency to return to its original shape, it is said to have elastic potential energy. Chemical potential energy is the stored energy in a substance’s chemical structure that can be released in a chemical reaction or as heat.
Potential energy is greatest when the most energy is stored. This could be when an object reaches its highest point in the air before falling, a rollercoaster just before it drops, or when a rubber band is stretched as far back as possible before it snaps. Potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy.
Example Question #3 : Identify Where Potential Energy Is Least Or Greatest As An Object Changes Position
The potential energy used to power this car is greatest when:
when the balloon pops
when the balloon is as full as possible without popping
when the balloon is deflated
when the balloon is blown up a little, but not too much
when the balloon is as full as possible without popping
The answer is "when the balloon is as full as possible without popping"
Potential Energy is “stored energy.” It is energy that is ready to be converted or released as another type of energy. We most often think of potential energy as gravitational potential energy. When objects are higher up, they are ready to fall back down. When you stretch an object and it has a tendency to return to its original shape, it is said to have elastic potential energy. Chemical potential energy is the stored energy in a substance’s chemical structure that can be released in a chemical reaction or as heat.
Potential energy is greatest when the most energy is stored. This could be when an object reaches its highest point in the air before falling, a rollercoaster just before it drops, or when a rubber band is stretched as far back as possible before it snaps. Potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy.
Example Question #2 : Identify Where Potential Energy Is Least Or Greatest As An Object Changes Position
Where is potential energy store in this design of a "car."
the axles
the rubber band
the wheels
the cardboard base
the rubber band
The answer is "the rubber band" because that's what is wound up and released to make it move.
Potential Energy is “stored energy.” It is energy that is ready to be converted or released as another type of energy. We most often think of potential energy as gravitational potential energy. When objects are higher up, they are ready to fall back down. When you stretch an object and it has a tendency to return to its original shape, it is said to have elastic potential energy. Chemical potential energy is the stored energy in a substance’s chemical structure that can be released in a chemical reaction or as heat.
Potential energy is greatest when the most energy is stored. This could be when an object reaches its highest point in the air before falling, a rollercoaster just before it drops, or when a rubber band is stretched as far back as possible before it snaps. Potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy.
Example Question #3 : Identify Where Potential Energy Is Least Or Greatest As An Object Changes Position
The image shows a roller coaster track. Where is potential energy the greatest?
position B
position C
position A
none of these
position A
The answer is "position A" because it is the highest point in the coaster.
Potential Energy is “stored energy.” It is energy that is ready to be converted or released as another type of energy. We most often think of potential energy as gravitational potential energy. When objects are higher up, they are ready to fall back down. When you stretch an object and it has a tendency to return to its original shape, it is said to have elastic potential energy. Chemical potential energy is the stored energy in a substance’s chemical structure that can be released in a chemical reaction or as heat.
Potential energy is greatest when the most energy is stored. This could be when an object reaches its highest point in the air before falling, a rollercoaster just before it drops, or when a rubber band is stretched as far back as possible before it snaps. Potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy.
Example Question #15 : Potential And Kinetic Energy
The image shows a rollercoaster track. At which point does the rollercoaster have the LEAST potential energy?
none of these
position C
position B
position A
position B
The answer is position B, because it is at its lowest point.
Potential Energy is “stored energy.” It is energy that is ready to be converted or released as another type of energy. We most often think of potential energy as gravitational potential energy. When objects are higher up, they are ready to fall back down. When you stretch an object and it has a tendency to return to its original shape, it is said to have elastic potential energy. Chemical potential energy is the stored energy in a substance’s chemical structure that can be released in a chemical reaction or as heat.
Potential energy is greatest when the most energy is stored. This could be when an object reaches its highest point in the air before falling, a rollercoaster just before it drops, or when a rubber band is stretched as far back as possible before it snaps. Potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy.
Example Question #3 : Identify Where Potential Energy Is Least Or Greatest As An Object Changes Position
When does a rubber band have the MOST potential energy?
when it breaks because it was stretched too far
none of these
when it is stretched out as far as it can go
when it is laying on the table
when it is stretched out as far as it can go
The answer is "when it is stretched out as far as it can go."
Potential Energy is “stored energy.” It is energy that is ready to be converted or released as another type of energy. We most often think of potential energy as gravitational potential energy. When objects are higher up, they are ready to fall back down. When you stretch an object and it has a tendency to return to its original shape, it is said to have elastic potential energy. Chemical potential energy is the stored energy in a substance’s chemical structure that can be released in a chemical reaction or as heat.
Potential energy is greatest when the most energy is stored. This could be when an object reaches its highest point in the air before falling, a rollercoaster just before it drops, or when a rubber band is stretched as far back as possible before it snaps. Potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy.
Example Question #4 : Identify Where Potential Energy Is Least Or Greatest As An Object Changes Position
Chemical potential energy is stored in the bonds between atoms. This means that chemical potential energy is greatest when:
before a chemical reaction occurs
when the chemical is being created
none of these
after a chemical reaction occurs
before a chemical reaction occurs
The answer is "before a chemical reaction occurs."
Potential Energy is “stored energy.” It is energy that is ready to be converted or released as another type of energy. We most often think of potential energy as gravitational potential energy. When objects are higher up, they are ready to fall back down. When you stretch an object and it has a tendency to return to its original shape, it is said to have elastic potential energy. Chemical potential energy is the stored energy in a substance’s chemical structure that can be released in a chemical reaction or as heat.
Potential energy is greatest when the most energy is stored. This could be when an object reaches its highest point in the air before falling, a rollercoaster just before it drops, or when a rubber band is stretched as far back as possible before it snaps. Potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy.
Example Question #6 : Identify Where Potential Energy Is Least Or Greatest As An Object Changes Position
Does a kickball have more potential energy on top of a hill, or at the bottom of a hill?
at the bottom of a hill
the energy is the same
at the top of a hill
at the top of a hill
The answer is "at the top of a hill."
Potential Energy is “stored energy.” It is energy that is ready to be converted or released as another type of energy. We most often think of potential energy as gravitational potential energy. When objects are higher up, they are ready to fall back down. When you stretch an object and it has a tendency to return to its original shape, it is said to have elastic potential energy. Chemical potential energy is the stored energy in a substance’s chemical structure that can be released in a chemical reaction or as heat.
Potential energy is greatest when the most energy is stored. This could be when an object reaches its highest point in the air before falling, a rollercoaster just before it drops, or when a rubber band is stretched as far back as possible before it snaps. Potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy.
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