Bungee Physics Quiz Bank
Google Forms Bank NGSS HS-PS3-1 • HS-PS3-2
Bungee Physics: Energy Transformation & Transfer
Copy-ready question bank with answer keys, bar-graph grid models, and automated feedback
System Bar Key
\(E_g\): Gravitational \(E_k\): Kinetic \(E_e\): Elastic Cord
How to Replace "Drag-and-Drop Bars" in Google Forms: Instead of moving bars in Docs, use Multiple Choice Grids (Rows = Energy types, Columns = Block counts 0–6) and discrete Mechanism Identification questions. Transformation occurs inside an object (\(E_g \rightarrow E_k\) in jumper); Transfer crosses a subsystem boundary (jumper \(\rightarrow\) cord \(E_e\)).
Q1 • Multiple Choice Position 1: Standing at Platform Before Jump
1 Point
Question Stem: At Position 1 (standing on the platform prior to jumping), which statement accurately describes the energy distribution of the system? (Total system energy = 6 blocks)
A. \(E_g = 3\) blocks, \(E_k = 3\) blocks, \(E_e = 0\) blocks
B. \(E_g = 6\) blocks, \(E_k = 0\) blocks, \(E_e = 0\) blocks ✓ Correct
C. \(E_g = 0\) blocks, \(E_k = 0\) blocks, \(E_e = 6\) blocks
D. \(E_g = 4\) blocks, \(E_k = 2\) blocks, \(E_e = 0\) blocks
Correct Feedback: Correct! The jumper is at maximum height above ground (\(E_g = 6\)), has zero velocity (\(v = 0 \rightarrow E_k = 0\)), and the bungee cord is unstretched (\(E_e = 0\)).
Incorrect Feedback: Kinetic energy requires motion and elastic energy requires stretch. At rest at top height, all 6 blocks are gravitational potential energy (\(E_g\)).
Q2 • Multiple Choice Position 2: Free Fall Before Cord Stretches (\(\frac{1}{2}\) Height)
1 Point
Question Stem: At Position 2, the jumper is in free fall and the cord remains slack. What energy process occurs, and what are the bar values?
A. Energy transformation within the jumper: \(E_g\) converts into \(E_k\) (\(E_g = 4\), \(E_k = 2\), \(E_e = 0\)). ✓ Correct
B. Energy transfer from jumper to cord: \(E_g\) charges the cord (\(E_g = 4\), \(E_k = 0\), \(E_e = 2\)).
C. Total system energy decreases from 6 blocks down to 4 blocks due to gravity.
Correct Feedback: Correct! The cord is slack, so no energy enters the cord subsystem (\(E_e = 0\)). Decreasing elevation transforms directly into speed within the jumper subsystem (curved arrow).
Incorrect Feedback: An energy transfer requires energy to move to a different object. Because the cord has not stretched yet, this is an internal transformation from \(E_g\) to \(E_k\).
Bungee Physics Question Bank • Google Forms Edition Page 1 of 4
Part 2 • Core Mechanism & Bar Model Grid
Distinguishing Mechanisms & Position 3 Energy Grid
Replaces Drag-and-Drop Bars
Q3 • Concept Clarification Mechanism Definition: Transformation vs. Transfer
1 Point
Question Stem: In the bungee jump diagram, curved arrows show energy transformation while straight horizontal arrows show energy transfer. Which explanation accurately distinguishes between the two?
A. Transformation creates new energy, whereas transfer destroys mechanical energy.
B. Transformation converts energy type within the same subsystem (e.g., \(E_g \rightarrow E_k\) in jumper); Transfer moves energy across subsystem boundaries (e.g., jumper \(\rightarrow\) bungee cord). ✓ Correct
C. Transfer only happens before the cord begins stretching; transformation only happens at the bottom.
Correct Feedback: Excellent! Transformation is internal form conversion (curved arrow between \(E_g\) and \(E_k\)). Transfer is energy movement from one component to another (horizontal block arrow from Jumper to Cord).
Incorrect Feedback: Focus on system boundaries: Transformation = energy type changes inside the object. Transfer = energy moves across the boundary into another object.
Q4 • Multiple Choice Grid Position 3: Cord Actively Stretching (\(\frac{3}{8}\) Height)
4 Points (1 pt per row)
Question Stem (in Google Forms select “Multiple Choice Grid”):
At Position 3, the jumper is descending and the cord is actively stretching. Match each component in the system model to the exact number of energy blocks it holds:
| Rows (Energy Form) | 0 Blocks | 1 Block | 2 Blocks | 4 Blocks | 6 Blocks |
|---|
| 1. Jumper \(E_g\) (Gravitational) | ○ | ○ | ✓ Correct | ○ | ○ |
| 2. Jumper \(E_k\) (Kinetic) | ○ | ○ | ✓ Correct | ○ | ○ |
| 3. Bungee Cord \(E_e\) (Elastic) | ○ | ○ | ✓ Correct | ○ | ○ |
| 4. Total System \(E_{\text{Total}}\) | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ✓ Correct |
Automated Feedback for Forms: Position 3 exhibits simultaneous transformation and transfer! The jumper's \(E_g\) continues transforming into \(E_k\) (curved arrow), while energy simultaneously transfers across to the cord to stretch it (straight arrow). System accounting: \(2\text{ blocks } (E_g) + 2\text{ blocks } (E_k) + 2\text{ blocks } (E_e) = 6\text{ blocks } (E_{\text{Total}})\).
Bungee Physics Question Bank • Google Forms Edition Page 2 of 4
Part 3 • Maximum Extension & Calculations
Position 4 State, Multi-Select Checkboxes & Math Accounting
Automated Scoring
Q5 • Multiple Choice Position 4: Lowest Point / Maximum Extension
1 Point
Question Stem: At Position 4 (final lowest point), the model shows \(E_k = 0\), \(E_g = 1\), and \(E_e = 5\). Why is \(E_k = 0\), and why is \(E_g\) NOT zero?
A. The jumper momentarily stops at the turning point (\(v = 0 \rightarrow E_k = 0\)) and remains above the ground (\(h > 0 \rightarrow E_g = 1\)), with maximum energy transferred into the cord (\(E_e = 5\)). ✓ Correct
B. Kinetic energy is zero because the jumper hit the ground, and cord absorbs 6 blocks.
C. Total system energy dropped from 6 down to 5 blocks due to air friction.
Correct Feedback: At the lowest turnaround point, vertical velocity is zero (\(E_k = 0\)). Since the jumper stays safely suspended above the ground, elevation remains (\(E_g = 1\)). The cord stores the remaining 5 units.
Q6 • Checkboxes (Multi-Select) Mechanism Analysis: Transfer vs. Transformation
2 Points
Question Stem: Select ALL statements that describe an ENERGY TRANSFER (energy crossing between separate system components):
[ ] The jumper's speed increases as elevation decreases during free fall.
[✓] Tension builds as the jumper does work on the cord, storing energy in the bungee cord (\(E_e\)). ✓ Correct
[ ] The jumper transforms gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy.
[✓] During rebound, elastic potential energy stored in the cord does work to pull the jumper upward. ✓ Correct
Automated Feedback: Options 2 and 4 represent energy transfers because energy moves across the boundary between two separate objects (Jumper \(\leftrightarrow\) Cord). Options 1 and 3 are internal transformations within the jumper subsystem.
Q7 • Multiple Choice Quantitative Law of Conservation
1 Point
Question Stem: A jumper has \(1,200\text{ J}\) of \(E_g\) at Position 1 (\(E_{\text{Total}} = 1,200\text{ J}\)). At Position 3, the stretching cord stores \(500\text{ J}\) of elastic energy (\(E_e\)) and the jumper still has \(300\text{ J}\) of gravitational energy (\(E_g\)). Assuming negligible friction, what is the jumper's kinetic energy (\(E_k\))?
A. \(200\text{ J}\)
B. \(400\text{ J}\) ✓ Correct
C. \(700\text{ J}\)
D. \(1,200\text{ J}\)
Feedback: By Conservation of Energy: \(E_{\text{Total}} = E_g + E_k + E_e\). Substituting: \(1,200 = 300 + E_k + 500 \implies 1,200 = 800 + E_k \implies E_k = 400\text{ J}\). Total energy remains constant!
Bungee Physics Question Bank • Google Forms Edition Page 3 of 4
Part 4 • Synthesis Prompt & Setup Guide
CER System Explanation, Rubric & Google Forms Setup
Paragraph Response
Q8 • Paragraph Response Bungee Physics System Synthesis
5 Points
Question Stem (Copy-Paste into Google Forms):
"Using your system model above, describe the basic physics of a bungee jump across all four positions. In your explanation, you must include and bold each of the following terms: conservation of energy, energy transformation, energy transfer, \(E_g\), \(E_k\), \(E_e\) (elastic), and \(E_{\text{Total}}\)."
Model Answer (Paste into Google Forms "Add Feedback" Field):
“The big idea behind bungee jumping is the law of conservation of energy: \(E_{\text{Total}}\) never changes (remaining at 6 total blocks); it is only transferred or transformed. In Position 1, the jumper has exclusively gravitational potential energy (\(E_g = 6\)) because they are at rest (\(E_k = 0\)) and the cord is unstretched (\(E_e = 0\)). In Position 2, as the jumper falls, energy transformation converts \(E_g\) into \(E_k\) within the jumper subsystem. In Position 3, \(E_g\) continues transforming into \(E_k\), while energy also begins an energy transfer from the jumper to the cord, storing \(E_e\) as the cord stretches. In Position 4, the jumper reaches the lowest point and momentarily stops (\(E_k = 0\)); there is still a small amount of \(E_g\) because the jumper is above ground, while most energy has transferred into \(E_e\) in the fully stretched cord.”
1. Conservation (1 pt) States \(E_{\text{Total}}\) is constant across all 4 positions.
2. Transformation (1 pt) Accurately links \(E_g \rightarrow E_k\) within the jumper.
3. Transfer (1 pt) Explains energy movement from jumper into cord \(E_e\).
4. Position 4 State (1 pt) Explains \(E_k = 0\) at turnaround and \(E_g > 0\) above ground.
Step-by-Step Google Forms Deployment Guide
1. Insert Diagram into Forms: Click the right-hand palette → Add image icon → upload the bungee diagram as an un-scored reference block above Question 1.
2. Setup Multiple Choice Grid: For Q4, select Multiple Choice Grid. Under question settings (three dots), check "Require a response in each row".
3. Paste Automated Feedback: Click Answer Key → Add answer feedback → paste the prewritten feedback into the Correct and Incorrect tabs.
4. Google Sheets Grading Analysis: Responses → Link to Sheets. Sort by Q4 and Q6 to see which students confused internal transformation with external transfer.
Bungee Physics Question Bank • Google Forms Edition Page 4 of 4
