ASPECt
Energy: Forms, Transformation, Transfer, and Conservation
Item RG077003: When two pieces of tape repel each other, the potential energy that the pieces of tape have decreases as they are allowed to move apart and is converted into kinetic energy.
During a classroom demonstration, a teacher cuts two piece of tape from a roll of tape like the one shown below. Then he electrically charges the pieces of tape and tries to bring them closer together. The students observe that the pieces of tape repel each other and move apart.
Which statement correctly describes the kinetic energy (motion energy) of the pieces of tape and the electrical force between them as they are moving apart?
- Kinetic energy is created by the movement of the pieces of tape. The electrical force between the pieces of tape is not related to this energy.
- The teacher is giving kinetic energy to the pieces of tape by holding them. The electrical force between the pieces of tape is not related to this energy.
- The pieces of tape exert an electrical force on each other that keeps them apart as the teacher tries to bring them closer together. As the pieces of tape are allowed to move apart, this electrical force becomes kinetic energy.
- The pieces of tape exert an electrical force on each other that keeps them apart as the teacher tries to bring them closer together. The potential energy that the pieces of tape have decreases as they are allowed to move apart and is converted into kinetic energy.
- Distribution of Responses
- Scale Score for Item Difficulty
(200[Easy]-800[Difficult]) - 537
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 616 | 2609 | 24% |
| Grades | |||
| 4–5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 6–8 | 309 | 1474 | 21% |
| 9–12 | 307 | 1135 | 27% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 272 | 1218 | 22% |
| Female | 330 | 1332 | 25% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 551 | 2326 | 24% |
| Other | 48 | 216 | 22% |