A2L Item 149

• Description: Identify the spring system with the largest potential energy.
• Goal: Reason with potential energy
• Source: UMPERG-ctqpe68
• Keywords: Mechanics, Potential Energy, Springs

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The question for students:

Consider three spring systems having identical springs and masses. Which of the 3 systems has the largest amount of stored energy?

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. A and C
5. All have the same potential energy
6. Cannot be determined

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Commentary for teachers:

Answer

(2) Students often forget to include the gravitational potential energy and also have difficulty selecting a good reference point.

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