Mechanical Energy Transformations

Amy lit a firework rocket that moved skyward and produced a burst giving off light and a loud sound. Which statement is true about the energy transformation the firework underwent?

• The kinetic energy of the firework was transformed into chemical energy when moving skyward.

• The kinetic energy of the firework was transformed into potential energy when moving skyward

• The potential energy of the firework was transformed into kinetic energy when moving skyward.

• The potential energy of the firework was transformed into chemical energy when moving skyward.

A baseball pitcher holds the ball close to his chest and then moves it behind his head before throwing the ball toward the catcher. He then gets back to the initial position before the next pitch.

In which position does the baseball possess potential energy?

• When the ball is held close to the pitcher’s chest.

• When the ball is moving away from the pitcher’s body

• When the ball is thrown toward the catcher.

• When the ball is thrown away from the catcher.

A basketball player shoots a basketball into the air at an arc. The ball goes through the basket and lands on the ground.

At which point is the potential gravitational energy at its

greatest?

• when the basketball goes through the basket and hits the ground

• when the basketball leaves the player’s hands

• when the basketball nears the top of its arc

• when the basketball hits the ground

What does the Law of Conservation of Energy state?

• Energy can be created but not destroyed.

• Energy cannot be created but can be destroyed

• Energy can be created and destroyed.

• Energy cannot be created or destroyed.

The image shows three positions (W, X, and Y) of a pendulum during its motion.

If the pendulum swings consistently according to the Law of Conservation of Energy, which statement is true?

• Potential energy will be maximum at positions W and Y and minimum at X.

• Kinetic energy will be maximum at positions W and Y and minimum at X.

• Potential energy will be maximum at positions W and X and minimum at Y.

• Kinetic energy will be maximum at positions W and X and minimum at Y.

A student constructs a new slingshot. To ensure a paper ball will travel the greatest distance, the student varies the amount the rubber band is pulled back from the slingshot.

Which slingshot would cause the paper ball to travel the

greatest distance?

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NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

The diagram shows the various energies possessed by a ball falling from a height of 20 m.

Which statement is an accurate conclusion made from the data?

• The total energy of the ball decreases during its fall.

• The total energy of the ball is equal to potential energy.

• The total energy of the ball remains constant during its fall.

• The total energy of the ball is converted into kinetic energy during its fall.

A student makes a diagram of a cart at three different positions on a hill to demonstrate the transformation of kinetic energy to potential energy as the cart moves through the positions.

Assuming no energy is lost to friction, which graph demonstrates the correct energy transformations at the three positions?

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NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

A student makes a model of a roller coaster using a plastic track and a marble. Four positions (1, 2, 3,and 4) are labeled on the track.

Assuming that the marble loses no energy due to friction, and all energy is conserved, which statement is correct?

• The amount of potential energy possessed by the marble is the same at all positions.

• The sum of the potential and kinetic energy decreases as the marble moves from position 1 to 2.

• The kinetic and potential energy of the marble are equal at all positions

• The amount of kinetic energy lost is equal to the amount of potential energy gained as the marble

  moves from position 3 to 4.

Which option correctly distinguishes the statements as inferences or observations?

• inference: 3; observation: 1, 2, and 4

• inference: 1; observation: 2, 3, and 4

• observation: 1; inference: 2, 3, and 4

• observation: 3; inference: 1, 2, and 4