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A rubber band is stretched out. Which type of energy does the rubber band have?

1) kinetic energy
2) electrical potential energy

1 Answer

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Final answer:

A stretched rubber band has elastic potential energy, which is a form of potential energy stored due to its stretched condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a rubber band is stretched out, it possesses elastic potential energy. This is a type of potential energy stored due to the stretching of the rubber band, which is similar to the potential energy stored in a drawn bow or a compressed spring. Let's consider various forms of energy. Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object because of its motion, like a basketball bouncing on the ground. In contrast, potential energy is energy stored due to an object's position, composition, or condition, such as water at the top of a waterfall, a charged battery, or in this case, a stretched rubber band. As long as the rubber band remains stretched and not in motion, it does not have kinetic energy, which is associated with movement.

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