[Campbell Biology P.81] The text defines potential energy and provides an example of water ... | Practice Question

The text defines potential energy and provides an example of water in a reservoir. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the natural tendency of matter to move toward the lowest possible state of potential energy, as described?

  • A: Water evaporating from a lake and rising into the atmosphere.
  • B: A ball rolling down a hill and coming to rest at the bottom.
  • C: A spring being compressed, storing elastic potential energy.
  • D: Water being pumped uphill into a reservoir.

Explanation

The text explains: 'Matter has a natural tendency to move toward the lowest possible state of potential energy; in our example, the water runs downhill.' A ball rolling down a hill and coming to rest at the bottom perfectly exemplifies this concept, as it moves from a higher gravitational potential energy to the lowest possible state.