Question

The bicycle rider ate breakfast before the ride. Which of the following energy transformations occurred during the bike ride?

A) Chemical energy (from food) to mechanical energy (muscle movement).
B) Mechanical energy (muscle movement) to electrical energy (bike lights).
C) Thermal energy (body heat) to sound energy (tire friction noise).
D) Gravitational potential energy (height) to kinetic energy (motion of the bike).

Answer 1

The correct energy transformation for a bicycle rider who ate breakfast before the ride is from chemical energy (from food) to mechanical energy (muscle movement), enabling the rider to pedal the bike.

Step-by-step explanation:

Energy Transformations during a Bike Ride

During a bike ride, the energy transformation that primarily occurs is from chemical energy found in food to mechanical energy used in muscle movements. When a bicycle rider eats breakfast, this food provides chemical energy which their body later converts into mechanical energy to power the muscles needed for riding a bike. This transformation allows the rider to pedal and propel the bicycle forward.

Energy transformations also happen in other ways, such as when plants convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. Moreover, while riding, some of the mechanical energy gets converted into thermal energy due to muscle work and exertion, and when going uphill, some chemical energy gets converted into gravitational potential energy which transforms back into kinetic energy as the rider goes downhill.

Returning to the original question, the correct answer to the energy transformation that occurred during the bike ride is: A) Chemical energy (from food) to mechanical energy (muscle movement).