Potential and Kinetic Energy Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Two objects travel at the same speed, but one has twice the mass of the other. How do their kinetic energies compare?
They have equal kinetic energy
The heavier object has four times the kinetic energy
The heavier object has twice the kinetic energy
The lighter object has twice the kinetic energy
2. A ball is dropped from rest. If air resistance is ignored, what energy change occurs as it falls?
Gravitational potential energy decreases as kinetic energy increases
Both kinetic and gravitational potential energy decrease
Gravitational potential energy changes entirely into thermal energy
Kinetic energy changes into gravitational potential energy
3. Which expression correctly calculates the kinetic energy of an object with mass m and speed v?
One-half times m times v squared
Mass times speed squared, with no one-half factor
Mass times speed
Mass times gravitational field strength times height
4. A skateboarder starts from rest at the top of a frictionless ramp and rolls down. Compared with the starting point, what is true at the bottom?
Both gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy are greater
Total mechanical energy is lower because motion uses up energy
Gravitational potential energy is unchanged, but kinetic energy is higher
Gravitational potential energy is lower, kinetic energy is higher, and total mechanical energy is unchanged
5. Near Earth’s surface, which formula is commonly used for gravitational potential energy relative to a chosen zero height?
PE = mgh
PE = mg/h
PE = mh/g
PE = ½mv²
6. Ignoring friction, at which point on a roller coaster track does a car usually have the greatest gravitational potential energy?
At the point where it is moving fastest
At the lowest point of the track
At the highest point of the track
At the point where acceleration is zero
7. Cart A has mass 2 kg and speed 2 m/s. Cart B has mass 1 kg and speed 4 m/s. Which comparison is correct?
Cart A has twice the kinetic energy of Cart B
The carts have equal kinetic energy
Cart B has twice the kinetic energy of Cart A
Cart B has four times the kinetic energy of Cart A
8. What is the kinetic energy of a 2 kg object moving at 3 m/s?
3 J
9 J
6 J
18 J
9. A spring is compressed and held still. What kind of mechanical energy is stored in it?
Rotational kinetic energy
Gravitational potential energy
Translational kinetic energy
Elastic potential energy
10. Which statement best defines kinetic energy?
Energy transferred whenever a force exists
Energy stored because of an object’s position
Energy an object has because it is moving
Energy stored in a stretched or compressed object
11. What is the SI unit used for both kinetic energy and potential energy?
Newton
Joule
Watt
Pascal
12. Ignoring air resistance and friction at the pivot, where does a swinging pendulum have its greatest kinetic energy?
At either end of its swing
At every point equally
Halfway between the lowest point and either end
At the lowest point of its path
13. A moving object’s speed doubles while its mass stays the same. What happens to its kinetic energy?
It stays the same
It becomes four times as large
It doubles
It becomes eight times as large
14. A book rests on a shelf above the floor. Which form of energy does it have because of its elevated position?
Gravitational potential energy
Elastic potential energy
Kinetic energy
Thermal energy
15. A bicycle slows when its brakes are applied on level ground. What best describes the energy change?
Kinetic energy is transformed into gravitational potential energy
Some kinetic energy is transformed mainly into thermal energy in the brakes, tires, and surroundings
The bicycle’s kinetic energy disappears without being transferred or transformed
Thermal energy is transformed into the bicycle’s kinetic energy
16. Using g = 10 m/s², what is the gravitational potential energy of a 2 kg object held 5 m above the chosen zero level?
20 J
25 J
50 J
100 J