$3\mathrm{.}2\mathrm{.}3\mathrm{.}4$ Because we are ignoring friction, no thermal energy is generated and the total mechanical energy is conserved, and the mechanical energy is equal to the kinetic energy plus the potential energy: $E_{\text{m}\text{e}\text{c}\text{h}}=KE+P{E}_G.$ As the skater is skating back and forth, which statement best describes the total energy?

a$)$ The total energy is the smallest at the locations where the skater turns around to go back in the opposite direction and greatest at the lowest point of the track.

Seidel, D$.$J$.$

$3$ of $9$