Question

1. which of the following illustrates an increase in potential energy? (3pts) a firecracker explodes a person climbs a set of stairs a wind - up toy winding down an apple dropping from a tree

Explanation:

Potential energy is stored energy based on position or configuration.

• A firecracker exploding converts chemical potential energy to thermal/kinetic energy (decrease in potential energy).
• A person climbing stairs increases their height relative to the ground, so gravitational potential energy ($PE=mgh$, where $h$ increases) rises.
• A wind-up toy winding down releases stored elastic potential energy (decrease in potential energy).
• An apple dropping from a tree loses height, so gravitational potential energy decreases.

Answer:

$\square$ a firecracker explodes
$\boldsymbol{\square}$ a person climbs a set of stairs
$\square$ a wind-up toy winding down
$\square$ an apple dropping from a tree