Which demonstrates potential energy best?

• A. A parked car in the driveway
• B. Wheels spinning on the ground
• C. A rock after it has been thrown
• D. A child at the top of a slide

Answer: (D)

Potential energy is energy stored because of an object's position in a gravitational field. A child at the top of a slide sits at height above the bottom, so they have gravitational potential energy that can be released as they slide down. The energy is stored, ready to convert to kinetic energy during the descent. The other scenarios involve energy already in motion or at a low height, so they are primarily kinetic energy or have minimal gravitational potential energy. Hence, the top-of-the-slide situation best demonstrates potential energy.