Science Assessment ~ Topics ~ Energy: Forms, Transformation, Transfer, and Conservation ~ Item RG124002 ~ Student Performance

A slingshot (pictured below) is a device made of a rigid frame and a strong elastic band. A slingshot can be used to propel small objects such as stones or balls. When the elastic band is pulled back and then released, the stone or ball will fly toward the target.

A child places a small stone in a slingshot and pulls the elastic band back. When the elastic band is released, what happens to the energy of the stone and the energy of the elastic band?

The energy of the stone increases, and the energy of the elastic band increases.
The energy of the stone increases, and the energy of the elastic band decreases.
The energy of the stone increases, and the energy of the elastic band stays the same.
The energy of the stone stays the same, and the energy of the elastic band decreases.

Distribution of responses
Answer Choice	Overall	Grades			Gender		Primary Language
	n = 1819	4–5 n = 331	6–8 n = 869	9–12 n = 619	Male n = 849	Female n = 934	English n = 1620	Other n = 151
A.	29%	31%	30%	28%	30%	29%	29%	37%
B.	47%	45%	47%	49%	49%	47%	49%	40%
C.	14%	15%	14%	13%	11%	15%	13%	16%
D.	10%	10%	9%	10%	10%	9%	10%	7%

Science Assessment

Item RG124002: A child places a small stone in a slingshot and pulls the elastic band back. When the elastic band is released, the energy of the stone increases, and the energy of the elastic band decreases.