Questions: A bicyclist is stopped at the entrance to a valley, as sketched below: Where would the bicyclist have the highest potential energy? (choose one) Where would the bicyclist have the lowest potential energy? (choose one) Where would the bicyclist have the highest kinetic energy? (choose one) Where would the bicyclist have the highest speed? (choose one) Would the bicyclist's kinetic energy be higher at B or A? (choose one) Would the bicyclist's potential energy be higher at B or A? (choose one) Would the bicyclist's total energy be higher at B or A? (choose one) Suppose the bicyclist lets off the brakes and coasts down into the valley without pedaling. Even if there is no friction or air resistance to slow him down, what is the farthest point the bicyclist could reach without pedaling? (choose one)

A bicyclist is stopped at the entrance to a valley, as sketched below:
Where would the bicyclist have the highest potential energy? (choose one)
Where would the bicyclist have the lowest potential energy? (choose one)
Where would the bicyclist have the highest kinetic energy? (choose one)
Where would the bicyclist have the highest speed? (choose one)
Would the bicyclist's kinetic energy be higher at B or A? (choose one)
Would the bicyclist's potential energy be higher at B or A? (choose one)
Would the bicyclist's total energy be higher at B or A? (choose one)
Suppose the bicyclist lets off the brakes and coasts down into the valley without pedaling. Even if there is no friction or air resistance to slow him down, what is the farthest point the bicyclist could reach without pedaling? (choose one)

Transcript text: A bicyclist is stopped at the entrance to a valley, as sketched below: Where would the bicyclist have the highest potential energy? (choose one) Where would the bicyclist have the lowest potential energy? (choose one) Where would the bicyclist have the highest kinetic energy? (choose one) Where would the bicyclist have the highest speed? (choose one) Would the bicyclist's kinetic energy be higher at B or A? (choose one) Would the bicyclist's potential energy be higher at B or A? (choose one) Would the bicyclist's total energy be higher at B or A? (choose one) Suppose the bicyclist lets off the brakes and coasts down into the valley without pedaling. Even if there is no friction or air resistance to slow him down, what is the farthest point the bicyclist could reach without pedaling? (choose one)

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Highest Potential Energy

Potential energy is highest at the highest point. Point A is the highest point on the diagram.

Step 2: Lowest Potential Energy

Potential energy is lowest at the lowest point. Point D is the lowest point on the diagram.

Step 3: Highest Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is highest where the cyclist has the most speed. Assuming no friction or air resistance, the cyclist will have the highest speed at the lowest point, which is Point D.