A boulder at the top of a hill stores what kind of energy due to its position?

Study for the California Science Test. Get ready for the 8th grade exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Prepare with confidence!

Multiple Choice

A boulder at the top of a hill stores what kind of energy due to its position?

Explanation:
Energy stored because of position is gravitational potential energy. A boulder at the top of a hill has this energy because its height gives it the potential to do work as it moves. The amount depends on its mass, the strength of gravity, and how high it sits (PE = mgh). As it starts to roll down, that potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy—the energy of motion. Thermal energy is related to temperature and microscopic motion inside the object, and chemical energy is stored in chemical bonds, not simply because of height.

Energy stored because of position is gravitational potential energy. A boulder at the top of a hill has this energy because its height gives it the potential to do work as it moves. The amount depends on its mass, the strength of gravity, and how high it sits (PE = mgh). As it starts to roll down, that potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy—the energy of motion. Thermal energy is related to temperature and microscopic motion inside the object, and chemical energy is stored in chemical bonds, not simply because of height.

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