Question 1

Which of the following best describes the law of conservation of energy?

Accepted Answer

Energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Question 2

A diver jumps off a springboard. Which sequence of energy transformations occurs as the diver bounces and then falls into the water?

Accepted Answer

Elastic potential energy $$\rightarrow$$ kinetic energy $$\rightarrow$$ gravitational potential energy $$\rightarrow$$ kinetic energy

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of chemical energy being transformed into kinetic energy?

Accepted Answer

A car engine burns gasoline to move the car forward.

Question 4

A baseball player slides into a base and comes to a stop. What happens to the player's kinetic energy?

Accepted Answer

It is transformed mainly into thermal energy, warming the ground and his legs.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about thermal energy is correct?

Accepted Answer

Thermal energy is the sum of the microscopic kinetic and potential energies of all the molecules in an object.

Question 6

A weightlifter lifts a barbell above his head. Which energy transformation best describes this process?

Accepted Answer

Chemical energy $$\rightarrow$$ gravitational potential energy

Question 7

Which of the following systems contains all the listed forms of energy: kinetic, chemical, and thermal?

Accepted Answer

A moving car with a hot engine and gasoline in the tank.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes elastic potential energy?

Accepted Answer

Energy stored when an object is stretched or compressed, such as in a spring or bow.

Question 9

Why is it generally easier to convert kinetic or potential energy into thermal energy than the reverse?

Accepted Answer

Thermal energy is the random motion of molecules, which is difficult to organize back into useful work.

Question 10

Which of the following scenarios involves the transformation of nuclear energy into thermal energy?

Accepted Answer

A nuclear power plant generating electricity.

Question 11

A system is defined as:

Accepted Answer

An isolated part of the universe chosen for analysis.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a form of energy discussed in the study materials?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic energy

Question 13

A roller-coaster car is at the top of a hill. What type of energy does it primarily possess at this point?

Accepted Answer

Gravitational potential energy

Question 14

Which equation best represents the total energy $$E of a $$system as described in the study materials?

Accepted Answer

$$E = K + U + E_{\mathrm{chem}} + \ldots$$

Question 15

Which of the following best illustrates an energy transformation within a system?

Accepted Answer

A stretched bowstring releasing an arrow, converting elastic potential energy into kinetic energy.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct statement about chemical energy?

Accepted Answer

It is energy stored in the bonds between atoms and can be released during chemical reactions.

Question 17

A compressed spring is released, launching a small mass. Which energy transformation occurs?

Accepted Answer

Elastic potential energy $$\rightarrow$$ kinetic energy

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of gravitational potential energy being converted into kinetic energy?

Accepted Answer

A rock falling from a cliff.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why a moving car eventually comes to a stop if the engine is turned off?

Accepted Answer

The car's kinetic energy is transformed into thermal energy due to friction with the road and air.

Forms of Energy and Energy Transformations

Study Guide - Practice Questions