When a spring is compressed, the energy changes from kinetic to potential. which best describes what is causing this change?

Work

Explanation:

When a spring is compressed the energy changes from kinetic to potential energy as Energy cannot be destroyed but can be transformed from one form to another.

This can be best explained with the help of work. Suppose a block with certain kinetic energy comes in contact to the spring its kinetic energy changes to Potential Energy of the spring or we can say that its Kinetic Energy is converted to Potential energy as the block does work on spring.  

Block compresses the spring by changing its length and it requires some work which is equal to change in its Potential Energy of spring.

note: the given question is incomplete.

complete question is given below.

which is an example of kinetic energy?

a. the energy stored in ethanol  

b. a hockey puck sliding across the ice  

c. a compressed spring  

d. a ball sitting at the top of a ramp

solution: the kinetic energy is the energy posses by the virtue of the motion of the object.

in the given options, a, c and d are the example of potential energy because it is the energy posses by the virtue of the rest of the object. but option b has the kinetic energy as the object is in motion.

hence, a hockey puck sliding across the ice   is the apex example of kinetic energy.

so, the option (b) a hockey puck sliding across the ice   is the correct option.