Understanding Potential Energy

What is potential energy best described as?

• Energy that is currently in motion

• Energy that is created from nothing

• Energy that is stored and not yet active

• Energy that is lost during a process

Which object has more gravitational potential energy?

• A tennis ball held at a certain height

• A balloon floating in the air

• A bowling ball held at the same height

• A feather held at a lower height

What happens to the potential energy of a wrecking ball as it is lifted higher?

• It remains the same

• It increases

• It disappears

• It decreases

Which of the following is an example of elastic potential energy?

• A compressed spring

• A burning candle

• A falling leaf

• A moving car

Which type of potential energy is found in food before it is consumed?

• Chemical potential energy

• Gravitational potential energy

• Nuclear potential energy

• Elastic potential energy