Question

choose the word or phrase that best completes the statement.
a student rides a bicycle to school every day. the student comes to a complete stop at the top of a hill. as the student descends the hill, the speed changes. initially, the energy is highest at the of the hill. the energy increases and is highest as the bicycle approaches the of the hill.
bottom thermal potential middle kinetic top

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze potential energy

Potential energy \(U = mgh\) (where \(m\) is mass, \(g\) is acceleration due to gravity, \(h\) is height). At the top of the hill (\(h\) is maximum), potential energy is highest.

Step2: Analyze kinetic energy

Kinetic energy \(K=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\) (where \(m\) is mass, \(v\) is velocity). As the student descends, \(v\) increases. At the bottom of the hill (\(v\) is maximum if we assume no non - conservative forces like friction acting to a large extent), kinetic energy is highest.

Answer:

Initially, the \(potential\) energy is highest at the \(top\) of the hill. The \(kinetic\) energy increases and is highest as the bicycle approaches the \(bottom\) of the hill.