Final answer:
The potential energy is higher when two balls connected by a spring are pulled apart than when closer together. For two blocks of vibrating billiard balls, the higher the vibration, the higher the temperature, leading to energy transfer from warmer to cooler block. Pulling wagons tied by a spring stores potential energy, which turns into kinetic energy upon release.
Step-by-step explanation:
The potential energy of two balls connected by a spring is higher when they are pulled apart compared to when they are closer together. This is because potential energy in a spring system increases with strain, which occurs when the spring is extended beyond its natural length. By pulling the balls apart, you are stretching the spring and storing potential energy in it. Releasing the spring would convert this potential energy into kinetic energy as the balls move towards each other.
Considering a solid material at the molecular level with billiard balls connected by springs, the block where the balls are shaking back and forth more has a higher temperature. This vibration indicates more thermal energy, and according to conservation of momentum, energy will transfer from the block with higher temperature (more vibration) to the block with lower temperature (less vibration) until thermal equilibrium is reached.
When a child pulls two red wagons connected by a stretchy rope or a spring, the energy stored in the spring as potential energy increases. As the wagons are pulled further apart and the spring is stretched, potential energy will be at its maximum. When released, the potential energy converts to kinetic energy as the wagons move towards each other.