Question

four people make observations recorded in the table.
person\tobservation
georgina\ta ball falls.
amy\tbonds between atoms change.
wilhelm\tbreaking the nucleus of an atom causes an explosion.
ron\theat moves from hot to cold areas.
which best describes what the observations have in common?
○ they involve nuclear energy.
○ they involve radiant energy.
○ they involve changes in waves.
○ they involve changes in energy.

Explanation:

• Analyze each observation:
• Georgina: A falling ball converts potential energy to kinetic energy (energy change).
• Amy: Chemical reactions (bond changes) involve energy changes (e.g., heat release/absorption).
• Wilhelm: Nuclear reactions (nucleus breaking) involve large energy changes (explosion, nuclear energy release).
• Ron: Heat transfer (energy moving from hot to cold) is an energy change (thermal energy transfer).
• Evaluate options:
• "Nuclear energy": Only Wilhelm's observation relates to nuclear energy, others don't. Eliminate.
• "Radiant energy": None of the observations involve radiant energy (e.g., light, electromagnetic waves). Eliminate.
• "Changes in waves": Observations are about energy transformations/transfers, not wave changes. Eliminate.
• "Changes in energy": All observations involve energy changing form (potential→kinetic, chemical energy changes, nuclear energy release, thermal energy transfer). This fits all.

Answer:

They involve changes in energy.