Original Project
Energy: Forms, Transformation, Transfer, and Conservation
Gravitational potential energy is associated with the distance an object is above a reference point, such as the…
Item EG022003: A person will have the same amount of gravitational potential energy at the top of a mountain regardless of the path the person takes to get there.
Three hikers take three different paths to the top of a mountain, Paths 1, 2, and 3. The hikers are all the same height and weight.
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When all of the hikers are at the finish point at the top of the mountain, which hiker will have the greatest amount of gravitational potential energy?
- The hiker who took Path 1
- The hiker who took Path 2
- The hiker who took Path 3
- The gravitational potential energy is the same for all of the hikers.
(Modified from New Hampshire EIAP, 1998)
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1295 | 3056 | 42% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 668 | 1814 | 37% |
| 9–12 | 622 | 1231 | 51% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 663 | 1473 | 45% |
| Female | 599 | 1516 | 40% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 1151 | 2673 | 43% |
| Other | 110 | 298 | 37% |