Question

two students, a and b, observe this phenomenon. they make the following claims about the coaster as it moves down: • student a claims energy is transferred to the coaster. • student b claims energy is transferred from the coaster. for each observation below, select whether it supports student a’s claim or student b’s claim. observation claim supported the wheels and track get warmer a roaring sound is heard as the coaster moves the coaster is moving faster at the bottom of the hill than at the top

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each observation based on energy transfer:

Observation 1: The wheels and track get warmer

• Friction between wheels and track converts the coaster’s mechanical energy (kinetic/potential) into thermal energy (heat) in the wheels/track. This means energy is transferred from the coaster to the wheels/track.
• Supports: Student B’s claim.

Observation 2: A roaring sound is heard as the coaster moves

• Sound energy is produced by the coaster’s motion (e.g., air resistance, friction). This requires energy from the coaster (mechanical energy converted to sound energy). Thus, energy is transferred from the coaster.
• Supports: Student B’s claim.

Observation 3: The coaster is moving faster at the bottom of the hill than at the top

• As the coaster moves down, gravitational potential energy (at the top) is converted into kinetic energy (at the bottom). The total mechanical energy (ignoring losses) increases in terms of kinetic energy (since speed increases). This means energy (from gravity, or potential energy) is transferred to the coaster (increasing its kinetic energy).
• Supports: Student A’s claim.

Final Answers (per observation):

• the wheels and track get warmer: Student B’s claim
• a roaring sound is heard as the coaster moves: Student B’s claim
• the coaster is moving faster at the bottom of the hill than at the top: Student A’s claim

(Formatting based on the table: For each dropdown, select the corresponding student’s claim as above.)

Answer:

To solve this, we analyze each observation based on energy transfer:

Observation 1: The wheels and track get warmer

• Friction between wheels and track converts the coaster’s mechanical energy (kinetic/potential) into thermal energy (heat) in the wheels/track. This means energy is transferred from the coaster to the wheels/track.
• Supports: Student B’s claim.

Observation 2: A roaring sound is heard as the coaster moves

• Sound energy is produced by the coaster’s motion (e.g., air resistance, friction). This requires energy from the coaster (mechanical energy converted to sound energy). Thus, energy is transferred from the coaster.
• Supports: Student B’s claim.

Observation 3: The coaster is moving faster at the bottom of the hill than at the top

• As the coaster moves down, gravitational potential energy (at the top) is converted into kinetic energy (at the bottom). The total mechanical energy (ignoring losses) increases in terms of kinetic energy (since speed increases). This means energy (from gravity, or potential energy) is transferred to the coaster (increasing its kinetic energy).
• Supports: Student A’s claim.

Final Answers (per observation):

• the wheels and track get warmer: Student B’s claim
• a roaring sound is heard as the coaster moves: Student B’s claim
• the coaster is moving faster at the bottom of the hill than at the top: Student A’s claim

(Formatting based on the table: For each dropdown, select the corresponding student’s claim as above.)