Which type of energy in the bungee chord prevents the bungee jumper from hitting the ground after a jump?
A. kinetic energy
B. elastic potential energy ***
C. magnetic potential energy
D. thermal energy
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Side note: Please help. I am not asking for the answer, I'm simply asking for a check. If I am incorrect, please help me discover the answer so I can understand this. I don't want to be judged for asking this question. I would rather be safe than sorry.
Never mind. I was correct.
You are correct. I had the same answer on my test.
Yes, you are correct. The type of energy in the bungee cord that prevents a bungee jumper from hitting the ground after a jump is elastic potential energy.
To understand why elastic potential energy is the correct answer, let's break it down. When a bungee jumper jumps off a platform, the bungee cord stretches due to the force exerted by the jumper's weight and downward motion. This stretching of the cord requires energy, and the cord stores this energy as elastic potential energy.
As the bungee cord stretches, it gains potential energy that is stored within the cord's material. This potential energy is called elastic potential energy because it is caused by the stretching of an elastic material, such as a bungee cord.
When the bungee cord reaches its maximum stretch, it then begins to contract back to its original length, releasing the stored elastic potential energy and pulling the jumper back upward. This contraction of the cord converts the elastic potential energy back into the kinetic energy of the jumper, gradually slowing their downward motion and preventing them from hitting the ground.
In summary, the elastic potential energy in the bungee cord is responsible for absorbing and storing energy during the downward motion of the jumper, then releasing that energy to bring the jumper back up, ultimately preventing them from hitting the ground.