Question

question 4 of 10 how do energy conversions make a car go down the street? a. the stored energy of the gasoline is converted to heat, and then to the stored energy of the car. b. potential energy is stored in gasoline, which is converted to heat, then to the kinetic energy of the car. c. the kinetic energy of the gasoline is converted to heat, then to kinetic energy of the car. d. the kinetic energy of the gasoline is converted to heat, then to potential energy of the car.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the energy conversions in a car:

• Gasoline stores chemical potential energy (not kinetic energy, so options C and D are incorrect as they mention kinetic energy of gasoline).
• When gasoline is burned, the potential energy is converted to heat energy. This heat energy is then used to do work, converting it into the kinetic energy (energy of motion) that moves the car. Option A is incorrect because it says the heat is converted to "stored energy of the car" instead of kinetic energy. Option B correctly describes the process: potential energy in gasoline → heat → kinetic energy of the car.

Answer:

B. Potential energy is stored in gasoline, which is converted to heat, then to the kinetic energy of the car.