Question

a red and a blue balloon are held at rest near each other on a tabletop. the red balloon was rubbed with a cloth and the blue balloon was rubbed with a plastic bag. this gave each of them an electric charge. a top view of the balloons is shown below. the red balloon is released and moves towards the blue balloon. the blue balloon continues to be held at rest. complete the statements for the time just after the red balloon is released. - the red balloon kinetic energy. - the blue balloon kinetic energy. - the two - balloon system electric potential energy. gains loses neither gains nor loses related content potential energy

Explanation:

1. For the red balloon: When released, it moves towards the blue balloon, so its speed increases. Kinetic energy ($KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$) depends on speed, so it gains kinetic energy.
2. For the blue balloon: It remains at rest ($v = 0$), so its kinetic energy doesn't change. Thus, it neither gains nor loses kinetic energy.
3. For the two - balloon system: Electric potential energy (related to the separation of charged objects) decreases as the balloons move towards each other (if they have opposite charges, or a force of attraction). Since energy is conserved in the system (ignoring external forces), as kinetic energy of the red balloon increases, electric potential energy loses (decreases).

Answer:

• The red balloon $\boldsymbol{\text{gains}}$ kinetic energy.
• The blue balloon $\boldsymbol{\text{neither gains nor loses}}$ kinetic energy.
• The two - balloon system $\boldsymbol{\text{loses}}$ electric potential energy.