Question

A wound watch spring has ____ energy.

• A. mechanical
• B. kinetic
• C. potential
• D. kinetic and potential

Answer 1

The correct option is C

potential

The explanation for the correct option:

The correct option is C. potential

1. Due to its wounded position or configuration, a watch spring has potential energy.
2. Only when the watch spring unwinds itself does the potential energy gets converted into kinetic energy.

The explanation for incorrect options:

A. mechanical

Mechanical energy is the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy. A wounded watch spring possesses only potential energy.

B. kinetic

A wounded watch spring is at rest and has no velocity. Hence, it does not possesses kinetic energy.

D. kinetic and potential

A wounded watch spring due to its coiled position possesses only potential energy.

Thus, a wounded watch spring has potential energy.