1. Forms of Energy
The Nemesis roller coaster is Europe’s first inverted coaster. It is locate in Alton Towers, England.

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

3. Roller coasters need energy
to move
Energy is the ability to do work.
Some forms of energy include:
Mechanical (kinetic and potential)
Thermal (heat)
Chemical
Electrical
Magnetic
Sound
Light
Nuclear

4. 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

5. 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!

6. 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.

7. Energy can be transferred from one system to another (or from a system to its environment) in different ways:
Thermally, when a warmer object is in contact with a cooler one;
Mechanically, when two objects push or pull on each other over a distance;
Electrically, when an electrical source such as a battery or generator is connected in a complete circuit to an electrical device; or
By electromagnetic waves.

8. 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 has 2 forms:
Kinetic (the energy of motion)
Potential (stored energy)
Scenic Railway at Luna Park (Melbourne, Australia), the world's oldest continually-operating roller coaster, built in 1912

9. 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.
The amount of potential energy an object has is influenced by its mass and its position (how high up it is).
For example:
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

10. 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 Energy

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

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

13. 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.

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

15. Energy can be transferred from one system to another (or from a system to its environment) in different ways:
Thermally, when a warmer object is in contact with a cooler one;
Mechanically, when two objects push or pull on each other over a distance;
Electrically, when an electrical source such as a battery or generator is connected in a complete circuit to an electrical device; or
By electromagnetic waves.

16. Electric Circuits
Electricity is what we get when electrons move from one place to another.
Energy can be transferred from one system to another when two objects push or pull on each other over a distance. In the case of electricity, electrons are pushed and pulled through a circuit. .

17. Electric Circuits
Electricity is naturally present in lightning and static electricity, but the flow of the electrons in lightning and static electricity are not controlled or steady.
In order for electricity to be useful in our homes and devices, there needs to be a steady flow of electrons called a current.
There also needs to be a complete circuit or a complete loop through which the electrical current can pass.

18. Electrons start out in one place, travel around the circuit/loop, and end up back at the place where it originated. The electrons are pushed and pulled through the circuit.
BrainPop: Electrical Circuits
In a complete circuit, energy starts at a power source (for example a battery), moves through a conductor (for example, a metal wire), passes through a load (a device that uses electricity such as a light bulb or toaster) and returns back to the power source.

19. Batteries and Circuits
Batteries are devices that use “energy transformation” to produce electricity. They work by changing stored chemical energy into electrical energy.
A chemical reaction inside a battery creates electrons. These electrons are stored in the negative terminal (-) of the battery. When a battery is part of a complete circuit, the negative terminal pushes the electrons out.
The electrons travel from the negative terminal, through the circuit to the positive terminal (+). The positive side of the battery pulls the electrons in.
Batteries create an electrical force by pushing and pulling electrons through a complete circuit BrainPop: Batteries

20. Generating Electricity
The “source” of energy describes where the energy came from.
Note: Ultimately, all energy comes from the sun.
Primary energy sources are found in nature and have not been subjected to any conversion or transformation process
Examples: sunlight, wood, oil, coal, natural gas
Secondary energy sources have been transformed from another source.
Examples: power plants
The heat needed to power the generator
can come from a variety of different
primary energy sources including
coal, hydro power, wind power,
nuclear and solar energy.

21. Generating Electricity
Water, wind and solar are some sources of green energy—meaning they do not pollute the environment.

22. You need a complete circuit for electrons to flow and have an electrical current. Electricity is important because we can use it to make so many things work. When electrons are pushed or pulled through a circuit (electrical force), the electrical energy can be converted through energy transformation into many other types of energy including light, heat, and sound.
Thank you “energy transformation”!