Final answer:
Consumption of food by humans converts chemical energy into the kinetic energy of movement, such as when riding a bicycle. Plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, which they can later use for kinetic activities. Both processes demonstrate the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of a living thing of potential energy being converted to kinetic energy is when humans consume food, like an ice cream cone, which contains chemical energy. This energy is then transformed into kinetic energy as they engage in activities such as riding a bicycle. The chemical energy stored in the food is released during digestion and metabolized by cells, providing the energy required for muscular movement.
Plants also perform a similar energy transformation when they use light energy from the sun, converting it into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This stored energy can later be used for growth and reproduction, which involves kinetic processes at the cellular and organismic levels.
These examples illustrate the principle that potential energy, whether chemical or electromagnetic, can be converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of movement. The transformations are guided by the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which relates to the flow and conversion of energy within systems.