This document discusses the physics of roller coasters through the lens of energy transformation. It defines key terms like kinetic energy, potential energy, and mechanical energy. It explains that roller coasters transform potential energy gained from height into kinetic energy of motion. Through each hill, the coaster loses mechanical energy to heat due to friction. Engineers design hills to account for these energy losses to safely stop the ride. Models are used to visualize and simplify the physics concepts involved in roller coaster design.

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

2. 2
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.

3. 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

4. The Nemesis roller coaster is Europe’s
first inverted coaster. It is locate in
Alton Towers, England.

5. 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.

6.  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
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7.  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.
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Forms of energy

8.  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.
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9.  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.
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10.  Mechanical energy is the energy that an
object has due 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).
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Scenic Railway at Luna Park (Melbourne,
Australia), the world's oldest continually-
operating roller coaster, built in 1912

11.  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.
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Potential energy

12.  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.
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Kinetic enery

13. 13

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

15.  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.
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16. 16
Design a roller coaster

17. 17
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.

18. 18
How roller coasters work
More roller coaster videos
The physics behind the fun

19. See page 3 of the student packet

20. See page 7 - 9 of the student
packet
A roller coaster at dorney park

21. 21
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

22. 22
Essential Question #2
What is the nature of energy?
See page 10 of the student packet

23. 23
Essential Question #3
How does energy change
forms?
See page 10 of the student packet

24. 24
Essential Question #4
What is the relationship
between potential and
kinetic energy?
See page 10 of the student packet

25. 25
Essential Question #5
How can you model
or diagram energy
transformations?
See page 10 of the student packet

26.  http://www.physicsclassroom.com
 http://www.Brainpop.com
 http://inquiry2energy.wikispaces.com/Forms+of+Energy
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_roller_coaster
 http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/roller-coaster.htm
 http://teacherknowledge.wikispaces.com
 http://en.allexperts.com/q/Physics-1358/2010/11/Roller-Coaster-Question.htm
 http://www.cramster.com/answers-mar-08/physics/roller-coaster-350-roller-coaster-starts-rest-pointand-
slid_207911.aspx?rec=0
 http://davidguo-sph3u.blogspot.com/
 http://www.funderstanding.com/aboutus/philosophy/learning-by-doing/roller-coaster
 http://www.mwit.ac.th/~physicslab/applet_04/physics_classroom/Class/energy/u5l2bb.html
 http://www.ehow.com/how_7821557_draw-roller-coaster-demonstration-physics.html
 http://mehdisprephysics.blogspot.com/2010/10/paper-roller-coaster-physics-project.html
 http://www.coasterdynamics.com/CoasterDynamics/CLabIntro.html
 http://www.erinfinnegan.com/sam/?cat=17
 http://da771us.blogspot.com/
 http://www.indiabix.com/engineering-mechanics/kinetics-of-a-particle-work-and-energy/013002
 http://gallery.hd.org/_c/natural-science/match-igniting-AJHD.jpg.html
 http://inquiry2energy.wikispaces.com/Forms+of+Energy
 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/physics-of-roller-coasters.html
 http://www.tcpalm.com/photos/galleries/2011/may/23/new-offerings-floridas-theme-parks/
 http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster/
 http://fzxxprj.wikispaces.com/transformation+of+energy+in+a+roller+coaster
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