When a rolling ball loses energy because of friction, what happens to that energy?

When a rolling ball loses energy because of friction, what happens to that energy?

• A. The energy is stored in the spring in the ball
• B. The energy remains as potential energy forever
• C. Energy dissipates as heat and sound due to friction
• D. Energy is created from nothing

Answer: (C)

Friction converts mechanical energy into other forms. When a rolling ball slows down, its kinetic energy from motion is transformed into heat in the ball and the surface (warming them slightly) and can also make sound from the rubbing. There isn’t any spring storing energy here, and the energy isn’t kept as potential energy forever, nor is energy created from nothing—the energy just changes form and is dissipated as heat and sound.

Friction converts mechanical energy into other forms. When a rolling ball slows down, its kinetic energy from motion is transformed into heat in the ball and the surface (warming them slightly) and can also make sound from the rubbing. There isn’t any spring storing energy here, and the energy isn’t kept as potential energy forever, nor is energy created from nothing—the energy just changes form and is dissipated as heat and sound.