Original Project
Energy: Forms, Transformation, Transfer, and Conservation
Item EG042003: A spring has elastic energy when it is stretched and when it is compressed.
A student has two identical springs. He stretches one spring and compresses the other spring.
Which of the following describes the elastic energy of the springs while they are being stretched or compressed?
- Both the compressed spring and the stretched spring have elastic energy.
- The compressed spring has elastic energy, but the stretched spring does not.
- The stretched spring has elastic energy, but the compressed spring does not.
- Neither the compressed spring nor the stretched spring has elastic energy.
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1360 | 3064 | 44% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 735 | 1820 | 40% |
| 9–12 | 620 | 1233 | 50% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 657 | 1472 | 45% |
| Female | 684 | 1522 | 45% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 1229 | 2685 | 46% |
| Other | 103 | 295 | 35% |