Question

1. at this skater position what is the skater energy? and why?

a. potential:

b. kinetic:

Explanation:

For part a (Potential Energy): The skater is at a relatively low height on the track. Potential energy (PE) depends on height ($PE = mgh$, where $m$ is mass, $g$ is gravity, $h$ is height). Lower height means lower PE, but compared to the lowest point, if the skater is moving up a small incline, but in the given position (visually, near a low point but maybe starting to climb a small hill? Wait, the graph shows a curve with a low point and then a small rise. Wait, actually, potential energy is related to position (height) in a gravitational field. If the skater is at a position with moderate height (not the lowest or highest), but let's think: when at a lower height, PE is lower, but when moving, if the skater is at a point where height is increasing, PE is increasing. Wait, maybe the skater is at a position where potential energy is low (since it's near the bottom of a curve) but let's correct: Potential energy is energy due to position. In a skate track (like a roller coaster model), the lowest points have least PE, highest have most. If the skater is at a position that's not the lowest (maybe a small hill's base), but looking at the graph, the skater is near a low point but starting to go up a small curve. Wait, maybe the key is: when moving, at a point with lower height, PE is lower, but let's think again. For part b (Kinetic Energy): Kinetic energy ($KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^2$) depends on speed. If the skater is moving (since it's on a track, likely moving), at a point where height is low, speed is high (since PE converts to KE). But if the skater is at a position where it's moving up a small incline, speed might be decreasing, but KE is related to speed. Wait, maybe the skater is at a position with low potential energy (so PE is low) and high kinetic energy (since speed is high at lower heights, as per conservation of mechanical energy: $ME = PE + KE$, so if PE is low, KE is high, assuming no friction).

Wait, let's structure:

a. Potential: Low (or Moderate? Wait, no—if the skater is at a position that's not the highest or lowest, but looking at the graph, the track has a deep valley and then a small hill. The skater is near the bottom of the valley, starting to climb a small hill. So at that position, height is relatively low, so potential energy is low (compared to the highest points) but maybe increasing as the skater climbs. Wait, no—potential energy increases with height. So if the skater is moving up a slope, height is increasing, so PE is increasing. But if it's at the bottom of the valley (lowest point), PE is minimum. Wait, the graph shows a curve with a low point, then a small rise, then another low. So the skater is at a position that's after the lowest point, moving up a small incline. So at that position, height is increasing, so PE is increasing (so PE is not the lowest, but moderate? No, maybe the key is: Potential energy is energy stored due to position. At a lower height, PE is lower. So if the skater is at a position with low height, PE is low.

For KE: Since PE is low, and assuming mechanical energy is conserved (ignoring friction), KE would be high (because $PE + KE = constant$). So KE is high.

So:

a. Potential: Low (because the skater is at a relatively low height on the track; potential energy depends on height, so lower height means lower potential energy).

b. Kinetic: High (because kinetic energy depends on speed, and at lower heights, speed is higher as potential energy converts to kinetic energy, so with higher speed, kinetic energy is high).

Answer:

a. Potential: Low (because the skater’s height is relatively low; potential energy depends on height, so lower height means lower potential energy).
b. Kinetic: High (because kinetic energy depends on speed; at lower heights, speed is higher (due to conservation of mechanical energy, where potential energy converts to kinetic energy), so kinetic energy is high).