Below are five descriptions of the kinetic and potential energy of objects. Which is a description of potential energy?
I. water moving a waterwheel
II. a skateboarder at the top of a halfpipe
III. the blades of a fan turning
IV. hot water molecules moving rapidly in a cup of tea
V. a parachutist ready to jump out of a plane
A) I only
B) II and V
C) II, III, and V
D) I, III, and IV
E) All of the above

Question

Below are five descriptions of the kinetic and potential energy of objects. Which is a description of potential energy? 
I. water moving a waterwheel
II. a skateboarder at the top of a halfpipe
III. the blades of a fan turning
IV. hot water molecules moving rapidly in a cup of tea
V. a parachutist ready to jump out of a plane
A) I only
B) II and V
C) II, III, and V
D) I, III, and IV
E) All of the above

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Potential energy refers to the stored energy that an object possesses due to its position or state. In this case, the skateboarder at the top of a halfpipe has potential energy because of their position - they have the potential to roll down the ramp and gain kinetic energy. Similarly, the parachutist has potential energy due to their height above the ground, as they have the potential to fall and gain kinetic energy. The other options all describe objects in motion or with high amounts of kinetic energy, and therefore do not refer to potential energy.

Below Are Five Descriptions of the Kinetic and Potential Energy