Which of the following statements about energy is true? a) Kinetic energy is the energy associated with its position or composition. b) Energy is equal to work. c) Systems tend to change in order to decrease their potential energy. d) Energy cannot be converted from one type to another.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct statement is c) Systems tend to change in order to decrease their potential energy.
Explanation:
- Kinetic energy refers to the energy of motion, not position or composition, so a) is incorrect. The statement describes potential energy instead, which is energy due to position or structure.
- Energy is equal to work (b) is also incorrect because energy is the capacity to do work, but they are not exactly the same. Work is the transfer of energy through force applied over a distance, but energy is a more general concept that encompasses potential energy, kinetic energy, and other forms of energy.
- Systems tend to change in order to decrease their potential energy (c) is correct. This is consistent with the law of conservation of energy and principles of thermodynamics. For instance, when a ball is dropped, it moves towards the ground, decreasing its potential energy and increasing its kinetic energy. This principle can be seen in many natural processes where systems seek a state of lower potential energy, such as an object falling, water flowing downhill, or even chemical reactions occurring to reach a more stable state.
- Energy cannot be converted from one type to another (d) is false. The law of conservation of energy states that energy can change forms, such as from potential energy to kinetic energy or from electrical energy to light and heat. In fact, this ability to transform energy from one type to another is a fundamental aspect of many natural and engineered processes.
Thus, c) is the only correct statement because it aligns with the principle that systems naturally evolve towards states that minimize potential energy.
