In chronological order, what happens to the kinetic, potential, and total energy

Question

In chronological order, what happens to the kinetic, potential, and total energy of the cart for one half cycle. The half cycle starts just after you have pushed the cart. The half cycle finishes just when the cart stops at the height of its motion. Remember, this is about the cart's mechanical energy.

a. Kinetic goes from zero to maximum (at the highest point of the incline.) Potential goes from maximum to zero since the cart has stopped. Total Energy stays "the same," but decreases slightly due to friction.

b. Kinetic goes from maximum to zero (at the highest point of the incline.) Potential goes from zero to a maximum slightly less than Kinetic's maximum. Total Energy rises as the cart gains altitude on the incline.

c. Kinetic stays constant because the cart is moving. Potential starts out high because it has motion at the beginning and then goes to zero a the top since it stops. Total Energy goes down because the cart is slowing down as it climbs the incline.

Explanation / Answer

kinetic energy KE = 0.5*m*v^2

potential energy PE = m*g*h

Since the speed is decresing ,then KE decreses form maximum to zero

and height of the incline is increasing then PE increses from zero to maximum

So the suitable answer is

b. Kinetic goes from maximum to zero (at the highest point of the incline.) Potential goes from zero to a maximum slightly less than Kinetic's maximum. Total Energy rises as the cart gains altitude on the incline.

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