Question

1. an engineer is investigating potential energy with two identical magnetic roller coaster cars on different sides of a

center magnet that cannot move. for the experiment, the engineer will move one car one space. which movement will
result in the largest increase in potential energy?

moving the car 2 one space toward the center magnet.

moving the car 1 one space away from the center magnet

moving the car 1 car one space toward the center magnet.

all these movements will result in the same change in potential energy because they each move a car the
same distance.

Explanation:

Magnetic potential energy depends on the position of magnetic objects relative to each other. When moving against the magnetic force (either due to repulsion or attraction depending on pole orientation, but in general, moving away from a magnet when there is an attractive force or towards a magnet when there is a repulsive force - assuming the cars are magnets with poles set such that moving away from the center magnet against the magnetic pull increases potential energy). Moving Car 1 one space away from the center magnet would require work against the magnetic force (assuming an attractive force between Car 1 and the center magnet), thus increasing potential energy. Moving a car towards the center magnet (options a and c) would either decrease potential energy (if it's an attractive force and the car is moving in the direction the force wants it to go) or not require as much work as moving away (if it's a repulsive force, but typically in such set - ups with roller - coasters and magnets, the main consideration is the change in the 'stored' energy due to position against an attractive force). Option d is incorrect because the direction (against or with the force) matters for potential energy change, not just the distance.

Answer:

B. Moving the Car 1 one space away from the center magnet.