Electric potential energy can be converted into which of the following types of energy?

Study for the NCEA Level 2 Electricity Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions; each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Electric potential energy can indeed be converted into both kinetic energy and thermal energy. This conversion primarily occurs when electric charges move through an electric circuit.

When electric potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy, it's typically observed in scenarios such as when charged particles (like electrons) are accelerated by an electric field. As these particles gain speed, the potential energy they initially possessed due to their position in the field is converted into kinetic energy.

On the other hand, the conversion to thermal energy happens due to resistive heating as electric current passes through a conductor. As the electrons collide with atoms within the material, some of their energy is transformed into thermal energy, causing an increase in temperature.

Given that both kinetic and thermal forms of energy can be generated from electric potential energy, the answer indicating both conversions accurately reflects the relationship between these types of energy in electrical systems. The choice that mentions gravitational energy does not apply here, as gravitational energy is a separate form related to the position of an object in a gravitational field, which does not directly stem from electric potential energy.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy