Question

Write a scientific explanation that justifies which platform the diver would select to gain the most potential energy.

Claim: The diver should choose platform A to gain the most potential energy.
Evidence: Platform A is higher above the water surface than platform B, as shown in the picture.
Reasoning: The potential energy of an object is directly proportional to its height above a reference point. Therefore, the higher platform A will provide the diver with greater potential energy.
Rebuttal: Some other factors, such as the diver's skill and the desired difficulty level, may influence the platform choice, but from an energy perspective, platform A is the better option.

Answer 1

The claim that a diver should choose the higher platform A to gain the most potential energy before diving is correct because potential energy is directly proportional to height. The rebuttal mentions skill and difficulty level as possible factors in the choice but confirms that from an energy perspective, platform A is superior. As the diver jumps off, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, and climbing back up converts chemical energy into mechanical work and potential energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question focuses on the concept of potential energy in physics, specifically regarding the energy a diver gains when diving from different heights. The claim proposes that the diver should select platform A to gain the most potential energy, substantiated by evidence showing that platform A is higher than platform B.

This is a sound claim, as potential energy of an object is indeed directly proportional to its height above a reference point, typically the ground or, in this case, the water's surface. Thus, the higher the platform, the greater the potential energy the diver will have before the dive.

The justification given for this claim is grounded in physics: as an object's height increases, so does its potential energy, which can be calculated as the product of its mass (m), gravitational acceleration (g), and height (h) relative to a reference point (PE = mgh). The rebuttal acknowledges that other factors like skill and desired difficulty might influence the diver's choice, but these are secondary to the scientific basis for energy potential.

It's also important to note that when the diver steps off the platform, this stored potential energy is converted to kinetic energy as the diver accelerates downwards. This interconversion of energy forms part of the broader concept of energy conservation.

Similarly, when the diver climbs back to the top, their body is converting chemical energy into mechanical work, fighting against gravity to elevate the diver, thereby increasing their potential energy in preparation for the next dive.