Which of the following statements about energy is false? – Systems tend to change in order to decrease their potential energy. – Energy can be converted from one type to another. – Kinetic energy is the energy associated with its position or composition. – Energy is the capacity to do work.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The false statement is:
“Kinetic energy is the energy associated with its position or composition.”
Explanation:
Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It is related to the velocity of the object and its mass. The correct definition of kinetic energy is:KE=12mv2KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2KE=21mv2
where mmm is mass and vvv is velocity.
In contrast, the energy associated with an object’s position or composition is called potential energy, not kinetic energy. Potential energy is stored energy that depends on the relative position of an object in a force field (like gravitational or elastic potential energy). For example, an object at a height above the ground has gravitational potential energy because of its position in the Earth’s gravitational field.
Let’s break down the other statements:
- “Systems tend to change in order to decrease their potential energy.”
This is true. Systems in nature, like objects under the influence of gravity, tend to move in ways that minimize their potential energy. For example, a ball thrown upward will eventually come down because its potential energy is being converted to kinetic energy as it falls. - “Energy can be converted from one type to another.”
This is true. Energy can be converted between different forms, such as potential energy converting to kinetic energy, or chemical energy converting to thermal energy (like in a combustion engine). The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. - “Energy is the capacity to do work.”
This is also true. Energy is defined as the ability to do work, whether it’s mechanical, electrical, thermal, or any other form.
Thus, the false statement is about kinetic energy being associated with position or composition—this describes potential energy, not kinetic energy.
