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Item RG074002: When a paper clip is moving toward a magnet, the kinetic energy of the paper clip increases, and the potential energy of the magnet/paper clip system decreases.

A person has a magnet and a metal paper clip. He puts the paper clip on the table and then brings the magnet close to the paper clip. When the magnet gets close enough to the paper clip, the attractive force on the paper clip causes the paper clip to start accelerating toward the magnet. Which of the following statements describes the changes in kinetic energy (motion energy) and potential energy that occur while the paper clip is moving toward the magnet?

  1. The kinetic energy of the paper clip and the potential energy of the magnet/paper clip system both increase.
  2. The kinetic energy of the paper clip increases, and the potential energy of the magnet/paper clip system decreases.
  3. The kinetic energy of the paper clip increases, but the potential energy of the magnet/paper clip system does not change.
  4. The kinetic energy of the paper clip stays the same, and the potential energy of the magnet/paper clip system decreases.
Distribution of Responses
Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item EG074002
Scale Score for Item Difficulty
(200[Easy]-800[Difficult])
521
Students Responding Correctly
Group Correct Total Percent
Overall 1205 3843 31%
Grades
  4–5N/AN/AN/A
  6–8 619 2011 31%
  9–12 586 1832 32%
Gender
  Male568174233%
  Female605199530%
Primary Language
  English1079343131%
  Other9029531%

View data table