A child sees an empty soda can resting on the icy surface of a frozen pond and throws a stone at it. The stone hits the can, which then slides across the ice, decreasing in speed as it does so. At the edge of the pond the can hits a pile of snow and stops.

Use energy ideas to write an explanation for why the can starts moving.

The questions concerns different aspects of such an explanation.

1. Which of the interactions below should your explanation focus on?

A. The interaction between the child’s hand and the stone.
B. The interaction between the stone and the soda can.
C. The interaction between the soda can and the ice.
D. The interaction between the soda can and the pile of snow.

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2. Which of the following would be the appropriate energy giver in such an explanation?

A. The child.
B. The stone.
C. The soda can.
D. The ice.
E. The pile of snow.

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3. Which of the following would be the appropriate energy receiver in such an explanation?

A. The child.
B. The stone.
C. The soda can.
D. The ice.
E. The pile of snow.

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4. Which of the following statements would be the most appropriate to include as part of this explanation?

A. There is a transfer of energy from the child to the stone.
B. There is a transfer of energy from the soda can to the ice.
C. There is a transfer of energy from the stone to the soda can.
D. There is a transfer of energy from the soda can to the pile of snow.
E. None of these are important.

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5. Which of the following statements would be the most appropriate to include as part of this explanation?

A. Because its kinetic energy decreases, the stone stops moving when it hits the can.
B. Because its kinetic energy decreases, the soda can slows down as it moves across the ice.
C. Because the child uses his muscles, his chemical potential energy decreases.
D. Because its kinetic energy increases, the stone starts moving when the child throws it.
E. None of these are important.

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