Question

Two students are watching a person riding a skateboard up and down a ramp. Each student shares what they think about the energy of the skateboarder as they ride up and down the ramp.
Elisa: I think the skateboarder has the more total energy at the top bottom of the ramp than the bottom of the ramp.

Raymond: I think the skateboarder has the same total energy at all points on the ramp.

Which student do you agree with? Why?

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct option is;

Raymond: I think the skateboarder has the same total energy at all points on the ramp

Explanation:

The total energy, also known as the total mechanical energy, is the sum of the kinetic and potential energies of the skateboarder

Given that the potential energy is the energy gained due to elevation, the maximum potential energy is obtained at the top of the ramp, while the maximum kinetic energy, which is the energy due to motion, is at the bottom of the ramp where the skateboarder moves fastest.

However, by the energy conservation principle, the kinetic energy of he skateboarder comes from the conversion of the potential energy, such that the total energy is the same at any particular point on the ramp.