Final answer:
The energy transformations in a yo-yo involve gravitational potential energy converting to kinetic energy as it falls, and then kinetic energy to gravitational potential energy as it climbs back up, with some energy stored as elastic potential energy and rotational kinetic energy.
The Correct option is; b) Kinetic energy to gravitational potential energy, then to elastic potential energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a yo-yo is thrown downward, gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy as it falls. As the yo-yo descends, it gains speed because the gravitational potential energy (due to its height above the ground) is transformed into kinetic energy of motion.
When the yo-yo reaches the end of its string and starts to climb back up, kinetic energy is converted back into gravitational potential energy as it slows down and rises.
Meanwhile, the spinning of the yo-yo initially converts some kinetic energy into rotational kinetic energy, which is a form of kinetic energy.
The internal mechanisms of the yo-yo may also store some elastic potential energy when it is at the bottom of the string (due to the winding of the string and tension forces), which contributes to it climbing back up the string.
To summarise, the correct energy transformations involved when a yo-yo is thrown downward and then climbs back up its string to be caught in the user's hand are:
- Gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy as it falls down.
- Kinetic energy partially to elastic potential energy and rotational kinetic energy when it reaches the end of the string.
- Elastic and rotational kinetic energy back to gravitational potential energy as it ascends.