Question

position of the skater on the u - shaped ramp which is more...kinetic or potential energy? does the total energy change? (yes or no) 1 start the skateboarder at 6m stop the skateboarder at 4m (going down the ramp) potential energy no 2 start the skateboarder at 6m. stop the skateboarder at 2m (going down the ramp). kinetic energy no 3 start the skateboarder at 6m. stop the skateboarder at 2m (going up the ramp) 4 start the skateboarder at 6m stop the skateboarder at 4m (going up the ramp)

Explanation:

Step1: Recall energy - conversion principles

In the absence of non - conservative forces (like friction), the total mechanical energy (sum of kinetic and potential energy) is conserved. Potential energy $U = mgh$ (where $m$ is mass, $g$ is gravitational acceleration, and $h$ is height) and kinetic energy $K=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}$. Higher height means more potential energy and lower height means more kinetic energy as the skateboarder moves.

Step2: Analyze case 3

When the skateboarder starts at 6m and stops at 2m going up the ramp. Since 2m is lower than 6m, the skateboarder has lost potential energy and gained kinetic energy. So, kinetic energy is more. And because of energy conservation, the total energy does not change. So the answers are Kinetic energy, No.

Step3: Analyze case 4

When the skateboarder starts at 6m and stops at 4m going up the ramp. Since 4m is lower than 6m, the skateboarder has some kinetic energy and some potential energy. But since 4m is higher than 2m (from case 3), potential energy is more than kinetic energy at this point. And the total energy does not change due to energy conservation. So the answers are Potential energy, No.

Answer:

1. Kinetic energy, No
2. Potential energy, No