Question

select the correct answer.
katrina inserts a key into her car’s ignition. she turns the key, putting her car into ignition mode. in this mode, some energy is used to increase the temperature of the car’s fuel. this energy allows the fuel to combust and the car to move. what’s this energy called?
a. absorbed energy
b. activation energy
c. chemical energy
d. released energy
e. solar energy

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• A. Absorbed energy: Too vague; doesn’t describe the energy needed to start a reaction.
• B. Activation energy: Defined as the minimum energy required to start a chemical reaction (like fuel combustion). The car’s ignition provides this energy to start fuel combustion.
• C. Chemical energy: The energy stored in fuel, not the energy needed to start the reaction.
• D. Released energy: Energy output from the reaction, not the input needed to start it.
• E. Solar energy: Irrelevant here, as the car’s ignition doesn’t use solar energy.

Answer:

B. activation energy