A spinning wheel A is brought into contact with another wheel B that is initially at rest. Because of friction at the contact point, the second wheel also begins to spin. Which of the following energies of wheel B increase?

Step-by-step solution

When wheel A is brought into contact with wheel B , kinetic friction acts on wheel B at the point of contact. This frictional force provides a torque that causes wheel B to start rotating. As wheel B accelerates from rest, its rotational kinetic energy increases. Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy. Since the kinetic energy of wheel B increases while its potential energy remains constant (assuming its center of mass does not change height), the total mechanical energy of wheel B incr