Question

mr. r is an engineer. he is investigating potential energy with two identical magnetic roller coaster cars on different sides of a center magnet that cannot move. to test his ideas, he will move one car one space. which movement will result in the largest increase in potential energy? moving car 2 one space toward the center magnet. moving car 2 one space away from the center magnet. moving car 1 one space toward the center magnet. all of these movements will result in the same change in potential energy because they each move a roller coaster car the same distance.

Explanation:

Magnetic potential energy depends on the distance between magnetic objects (here, cars and center magnet). When a magnetic object moves away from another magnet (assuming like - pole repulsion or work against magnetic force), work is done, increasing potential energy. Moving a car toward the center (if magnets repel) would decrease potential energy (as force and motion are in same direction, work done by magnetic force, PE decreases). Moving away (against magnetic force) requires work, so PE increases. Among the options, moving Car 2 away from the center magnet involves doing work against magnetic force, leading to the largest increase in potential energy.

Answer:

Moving Car 2 one space away from the center magnet.