Final answer:
The highest potential energy is usually at the highest point on the track, while the highest kinetic energy is at the bottom of hills or ramps. The skater's speed is fastest at the bottom of hills or ramps, and lowest at the highest point on the track. Increasing friction decreases the skater's speed.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Energy Skate Park simulation, the point with the highest potential energy is usually the highest point on the track. This is because potential energy is directly related to height - the higher the point, the higher the potential energy.
The point with the highest kinetic energy is usually the bottom of a hill or a ramp where the skater is moving the fastest. Kinetic energy is dependent on both mass and velocity, so a faster skater will have higher kinetic energy.
The skater's speed will be fastest when they are at the bottom of a hill or a ramp where gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, giving them a higher velocity.
The skater's speed will be lowest at the highest point on the track, where they have the highest potential energy. At this point, all of their energy is in the form of potential energy and they are momentarily at rest.
Increasing the friction of the surface will cause the skater's speed to decrease. Friction opposes the motion of the skater, converting some of their kinetic energy into heat energy. This means that with more friction, less of the skater's energy is used to maintain their speed.