Have you ever ridden a roller coaster? Have you ever wanted to design your own? There are plenty of expensive toys and even video games that will let you build your own coasters—but in this project you’ll make one out of paper and tape, and learn about roller coaster physics along the way
Roller coasters are all about physics!
– roller coasters do not have an engine that propels them along the track\
– rely on gravitational potential energy- gain by initially being towed up a large hill
-potential energy is “stored” because of an object’s elevation, or height off the ground
-When the coaster starts going down the hill, the potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, or the energy of the motion
When the coaster goes back up another hill, it will lose kinetic energy (it will slow down) and gain some potential energy again.
Energy is converted to heat due to air resistance and friction with the track, gradually causing the coaster to slow down and continues as the coaster goes through loops, hills, and turns, until eventually it comes back to the beginning.
Review:
How does physics affect roller coasters?
What forces act on a roller coaster?
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