Which of the following is an example of potential rather than kinetic energy?
A. a candle giving off light
B. an apple made up of energy-rich macromolecules
C. a skier at the bottom of the hill instead of the top of the hill
D. a pile of leaves that have been burnt
E. a firefly using light flashes to attract a mate
Answer
D. A pile of leaves that have been burnt is the correct answer. The cell wall strengthens and supports the structure of bacteria and plant cells.
Which of the following is an example of potential rather than kinetic energy?
A) water rushing over Niagara Falls
B) light flashes emitted by a firefly
C) a molecule of glucose
D) a crawling beetle foraging for food
Answer
C) a molecule of glucose.
Potential energy refers to the energy possessed by molecules when they are at rest. An example of potential energy is the molecule of glucose.
Kinetic energy, on the other hand, is the type of energy possessed by molecules that are in motion. Together, the kinetic and potential energies compose the mechanical energy present in a system of molecules.
Glucose is an example of potential energy. Option C is the right answer when it’s at rest and not used in any reactions.
