Physics
SMHS
Unit 4 Test Energy
Directions: Mark your multiple-choice answers on this test and enter them on the Qwizdom remote.
1. According to the law of conservation of energy, at
the bottom of which incline would a ball have the
largest velocity? Assume the heights are equal
and that there are no resistive forces, such as
friction.
a) b) c)
d) the velocities at the bottom of the inclines
are equal
2. Starting from rest, a 2-kg block of wood slides a
distance of two meters down a frictionless ramp,
as shown below.
What is the approximate kinetic energy of the
wooden block at the bottom of the slope?
a) 20 J
b) 40 J
c) 200 J
d) 400 J
3. In the absence of external resistive forces, which
of the following will determine the speed of the
ball at the bottom of a ramp?
a) the mass of the ball
b) the starting height of the ball
c) the angle of the ramp
d) All of the above answers are correct.
4. What will happen to the kinetic energy of an
object if its velocity is doubled?
a) Kinetic energy remains constant.
b) Kinetic energy doubles.
c) Kinetic energy triples.
d) Kinetic energy quadruples.
Name ________________________
Period____
5. A ball rolls down a frictionless ramp of height h.
It reaches speed v at the bottom. To reach a
speed of 2v, the ball would need to slide down a
ramp of height
a) 1.41h h is proportional to v^2
b) 2h so d is the best answer
c) 3h
d) 4h
6. A physics instructor releases a pendulum
consisting of a bowling ball attached by a chain to
the ceiling. The bowling ball swings back and forth
but does not reach the instructor and after time
comes to rest. Which of the following explains
why the bowling ball loses mechanical energy?
a) Gravity causes the earth to gain mechanical
energy.
b) Air resistance causes the thermal energy of
the air to increase.
c) The chain transfers mechanical energy to the
ceiling.
d) None of the above statements explains why
the pendulum loses energy.
7. A high diver steps off a platform 10 m above the
water. If no air resistance is present, during the
fall there will be a decrease in the divers:
a) gravitational potential energy.
b) total mechanical energy.
c) kinetic energy.
d) momentum.
 Questions 8-10 refer to the graphs below, 8. Which of the following scenarios could the energy
which are energy bar charts for an object bar charts to the left represent as the object
that moves from location A to location B. moves from location A to location B?
a) A ball rolling up a hill.
b) A skater moving down a half pipe.
Loca.on A c) A pendulum swinging from one side all the
way to the other side.
1200 d) A roller coaster moving from the bottom to
1000 the top of a loop.

800
Enery (J)

9. How much mechanical energy is lost as the object

600 moves from location A to location B?
a) 500 J lost = transferred to a less
400 b) 250 J
c) 100 J
useful form
200
d) 0 J
0
GPE
Ug K E 10. If the mass of the object is 5 kg, what is the
height of the object at location A?
a) 5 m
Loca.on B b) 10 m
c) 20 m
600 d) 200 m
500
Energy (J)

400
300
200
100
0
GPE
Ug K E
Students were given the following scientific question and materials:

How does the potential energy of a cart at the top of a ramp affect the kinetic energy of the
cart at the bottom of the ramp?

Cart (1-kg of mass)

Four 1-kg masses
Ramp
Tape measure
Computer with LoggerPro software and motion sensor

11. Identify your independent variable, dependent variable, and one measurable constant. (3 points)

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

Constant:
12. A student writes a step-by-step procedure that could be used to collect data. An effective procedure should
identify the independent variable, dependent variable, constant, and how you will measure each. Complete
steps d and f below. (2 points)

a) Place motion sensor 1 m away from the bottom of the ramp facing the ramp.

b) Place cart 5 m higher than the bottom of the ramp using tape measure.

c) Release cart and begin collecting data using motion sensor.

d) Look at the _____________ of position vs. time graph when the object is moving at a constant velocity.

e) Record velocity and repeat two times.

f) Repeat steps b-e but start with

Students collect the following data using their procedure above:

Starting Height of Cart Potential Energy Velocity at bottom Kinetic Energy

(m) (J) (m/s) (J)

5.0 8.0

10 12

15 18

20 19

13. Fill in the data table by calculating potential energy and kinetic energies. (4 points)

14. In the space below, graph the data. (5 points)

15. Draw a line of best fit. Mark two points ON the line that you will use to calculate the slope. (3 points)

16. Calculate the slope of your line of best fit. (3 points)

17. What does the slope of your trendline mean? Which fundamental law does this represent? Explain. (3
points)