1. Roller Coaster Physics
An exploration of energy
as it applies to the science of roller coasters
Draft Version

2. Boarding Information
This presentation corresponds with the “Roller Coaster Physics Student Packet”.
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3. Boarding Information
This icon means that the slide corresponds to a page in the “Roller Coaster Physics Student Packet.”
This icon means that the slide contains one or more links to online videos or activities.

4. What do you already know about roller coasters?
What do you already know about roller coasters
Scream Roller Coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain Grand Opening
See page 2 of the student packet
Thunder Dolphin in downtown Tokyo, Japan has a 150 ft drop

5. What do you want to learn about roller coasters?
What do you want to learn about roller coasters
See page 2 of the student packet
The Nemesis roller coaster is Europe’s first inverted coaster. It is locate in Alton Towers, England.

6. Answer true or false for each of the anticipation guide statements.
See page 3 of the student packet
Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio. Built in 1976, it was the first roller coaster in the world with 3 inversions.

7. Roller coasters need energy
Energy is the ability to do work.
Energy is anything that can make matter move or change.
Some forms of energy include:
Mechanical (kinetic and potential)
Thermal (heat)
Chemical
Electrical
Magnetic
Sound
Light
Nuclear
to move

8. Energy transformation
A system is a set of parts that are connected in some way.
The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy can not be created or destroyed in a system. Instead, it must be converted or transformed into another type of energy.
Energy transformation is the process of changing energy from one form to another.
An example of energy transformation is what happens when you light a match. The chemical energy stored in the match is converted into heat energy and light energy.
Forms of energy

9. A roller coaster’s tracks get hot because of energy transformation
As a roller coaster moves along the tracks, mechanical energy (energy related to motion) is changed to heat energy.
Mechanical energy is changed to heat energy because of the friction between the roller coaster and the tracks. You can feel the heat if you touch the roller coaster tracks.
Hot!

10. A roller coaster stops because of energy transformation
With each hill, a roller coaster transforms mechanical energy into heat energy. As the ride continues, the coaster has less and less mechanical energy.
The engineers who design roller coasters use math to figure out how much mechanical energy is lost throughout the ride. They make each hill that follows smaller to compensate for this loss.
Eventually the roller coaster loses most of its mechanical energy and is able to come to a safe stop.

11. Roller coasters move because of mechanical energy
Mechanical energy is the energy that an object has because to its motion or position.
An object that has mechanical energy is able to do work and make something move. Mechanical energy is important in the operation of all moving things including roller coasters, simple machines and even you and me.
Mechanical energy is either kinetic (the energy of motion) or potential (stored energy).
Scenic Railway at Luna Park (Melbourne, Australia), the world's oldest continually-operating roller coaster, built in 1912

12. A roller coaster has potential energy when it is on top of a hill
Potential energy is stored energy. It is the energy that an object has because of its position or condition.
A roller coaster on top of a hill, waiting to drop, has potential energy.
The roller coaster has the potential to move due to gravity. The higher it is, the more potential energy it has.
Potential energy can also be in the form of stored fuel such as gasoline for a car or food for a person.
Potential energy can change (transform) into kinetic energy.
Potential energy

13. A rollercoaster has kinetic energy when it is moving
Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion.
The amount of kinetic energy an object has is influenced by its mass and speed
For example:
A roller coaster that is full of people has a greater amount of mass than an empty roller coaster. A full roller coaster has more energy and force. This leads to a more thrilling and exciting ride!
The higher the first drop, the greater the speed and total energy the roller coaster will have. A taller track gives the roller coaster has more energy than a shorter one.
Kinetic enery

14. Roller coasters are all about the transformation between potential and kinetic energy

15. Explore energy transformation
How roller coasters work
Roller coaster animation
Energy in a roller coaster ride

16. Building roller coasters are fun!
A model is a representation of a system, object or concept. Models are used to simplify and make things easier to understand.
Mechanical engineers use models to envision their creations. Mechanical engineers manipulate energy using science and math to build the most exciting and safe rides possible.

17. Let’s design a roller coaster!

18. Vocabulary Model: Energy
Energy is the ability to do work. Energy is anything that can make matter move or change.
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion.
Potential Energy
Potential energy is stored energy.
Mechanical Energy
Mechanical energy is the energy that an object has because of its motion or position.
System
A system is a set of parts that are connected in some way.
Energy Transformation
Energy transformation is the process of changing energy from one form to another.
Model
A model is a representation of a system, object or concept. Models are used to simplify and make things easier to understand.
Model:

19. More roller coaster videos
How roller coasters work
The physics behind the fun

20. ? What did you learn about roller coasters
See page 2 of the student packet

21. Review and discuss the anticipation guide statements
See page 3 of the student packet

22. Complete and discuss the concept maps
See page of the student packet
A roller coaster at dorney park

23. 1 2 3 4 5
Essential Question #1
In what ways do kinetic and potential energy contribute to an object’s mechanical energy?
See page 10 of the student packet

24. What is the nature of energy?1 2 3 4 5
Essential Question #2
What is the nature of energy?
See page 10 of the student packet

25. How does energy change forms?1 2 3 4 5
Essential Question #3
How does energy change forms?
See page 10 of the student packet

26. What is the relationship between potential and kinetic energy?1 2 3 4 5
Essential Question #4
What is the relationship between potential and kinetic energy?
See page 10 of the student packet

27. How can you model or diagram energy transformations?1 2 3 4 5
Essential Question #5
How can you model or diagram energy transformations?
See page 10 of the student packet

28. Sources http://www.physicsclassroom.com http://www.Brainpop.com