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ASVAB · Work, Energy, and Power

A ball held at the top of a hill has the most of which type of energy, before it is released?

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Correct answer

Potential energy

  1. A Kinetic energy
  2. B Electrical energy
  3. C Potential energy
  4. D Thermal energy

Why this is the answer

A ball held at the top of a hill has maximum POTENTIAL ENERGY (specifically gravitational potential energy due to its height/position). ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension tests energy. POTENTIAL ENERGY is stored energy due to position (the higher up, the more); KINETIC ENERGY is energy of motion. As the ball rolls down, potential energy converts to KINETIC energy (it speeds up as it loses height). At the top (not moving, highest point), potential energy is greatest and kinetic energy is zero. The potential-to-kinetic energy conversion is commonly tested.
Source: ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension — Potential and Kinetic Energy

Practice more questions

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About this topic: Work, Energy, and Power

Work, energy and power questions cover work (force × distance), kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, and power (work ÷ time), with units of joules and watts. Lifting, dropping and rolling objects are the standard scenarios. This is one of 7 Mechanical Comprehension questions on work, energy, and power, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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