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Autumn Eberhart
1. How much kinetic energy is required for various track features? For example, how much kinetic
Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion. As the marble rolls through the
track, then it is is building motion and momentum. In order for the marble to accelerate through
the roller coaster then the energy must transfer at a constant speed. Kinetic energy is greatest at
the lowest point of a roller coaster and least at the highest point.
2. You can expand the experiment by building a set of roller coaster tracks with various loop sizes.
How does the kinetic energy requirement change when the loop diameter increases? How does
the kinetic energy requirement change when the loop diameter decreases?
Basically, as the loop diameter increases, the more kinetic energy and momentum required for
the marble to actually go around the loop and stay on track. Likewise, the smaller the loop
diameter the less kinetic energy is required for the marble to successfully go around the loop.
3. If you can find spheres that have equal diameter but made from different materials, you could
investigate how the mass of the sphere affects how well it travels along the track.
Different materials can contribute to different energies. For example, on our project we used
insulator tubes and these tubes allowed the marble momentum and enough energy to actually
move the marble on the tracks. Initially, we used colorful tubes that are used as floats in
swimming pools, but the texture would not allow the ball to freely move through the tube. We
even tried to use tape to line the tube, thinking that the sleek surface would allow the marble to
4. Maybe you noticed that your loop wobbles a bit as your marble passes through it. The energy to
move the track comes from the marble. The energy that the marble loses to make the track move
means less energy is available to make the marble itself move. Can you think of a way to stabilize
the loop so that it doesn't wobble? Does the marble have more kinetic energy after exiting the
The best way for the loop to be stabilized is through support. If we support the loop good enough
then it shouldnt wobble and thus lose energy. We can use a stand or something strong and
sturdy to hold up to loop. After the loop, the kinetic energy should have increased simply
because the marble gained potential energy (and momentum) after the loop.
5. Try using different lengths of roller coaster track so that you can adjust the initial slope of the
track. Keep the starting height the same, but change the slope by adding additional track length.
(Remember, slope is rise/run, so you'll be holding the "rise" constant, and gradually increasing
the "run.") How do you think the kinetic energy of the marble will change as you change the
Kinetic energy is the energy of movement. Gravitational potential energy is greatest at the
highest point of a roller coaster and least at the lowest point. When you add additional track the
down slope from the table not keep as much of the kinetic energy that it produces, so the marble
goes slower. When you take off some of the track the the marble gets more momentum and the
Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy are interchangeable. On a roller coaster the two types of
energy are exchanged for each other. Not to mention that, energy is what carries the marble
Gravity is the the reason why people do not fall on the roller coaster when they ride it. As the
roller coaster gets higher in the air, gravity can pull it down a greater distance.
According to learner.org, momentum depends upon mass and velocity, or in other words, the
amount of "stuff" that is moving and how fast the "stuff" is moving. A train of roller coaster cars
moving at a high speed has a lot of momentum. If the roller coaster gains enough momentum
(usually at the top of the track) then the marble should be able to finish the whole track,
9. How does the law of Conservation of Energy apply to how a roller coaster moves?
A roller coaster shows a clear example of the exchange of potential and kinetic energy. The law
of conservation of energy states that within a closed system, energy can change form, but it
cannot be created or destroyed. In other words, the total amount of energy remains constant. On
a roller coaster, energy changes from potential to kinetic energy and back again many times over
10. Explain how the three laws of motion are essential to the movement of a roller coaster:
Newtons three laws are the basis for roller coasters. The law of inertia is very important to our
rollercoaster model and essential to keep our marble safe while giving the passengers the thrill of
being in danger. . An understanding of Newton's second law of motion and basic motion
concepts such as position, velocity and acceleration. When the coaster ascends one of the
smaller hills that follows the initial lift hill, its kinetic energy changes back to potential energy.
11. When watching the movement of a roller coaster, when do you observe Newton's First Law of
Motion?
When the roller coaster starts to drop it wants to continue moving in the same direction at a
constant speed. It doesn't however because the tracks act as an outside force and change the
roller coaster car's direction. Newton's first law applies to object at rest as well. An object at rest
12. When watching the movement of a roller coaster, when do you observe Newton's Second Law of
Motion?
The second law states that F=ma, or force is equal to mass times acceleration. When the roller
coaster is going down its first big downhill drop, the acceleration due to gravity is acting on it in
13. When watching the movement of a roller coaster, when do you observe Newton's Third Law of
Motion?
Gravity is what makes roller coasters fun, gravity also has a direct effect on speed and
acceleration.This laws also applies because the more mass on the roller coaster, the more force it
will take the roller coaster to make the cars accelerate at the same rate as an empty car
14. Explain the relationship between speed and velocity in regards to the movement of a roller
coaster.
The rate of change in velocity (the speed of an object in a certain direction) is known as
accelerating. The acceleration of a roller coaster depends on its mass and how strong is the force
15. How is force, a push or a pull-on matter, demonstrated in the movement of a roller coaster?
When the roller coaster speeds up, the seat in the cart pushes you forward, accelerating your
motion. In addition, It takes work to lift a roller coaster to the top of the first hill in order to
Whenever electrons are transferred between objects, neutral matter becomes charged. This
occurs even with individual atoms. Atoms are neutral in electric charge because they have the
The relationship between current and voltage can be defined in ohms law, The equation, i = v/r,
tells us that the current, i, flowing through a circuit is directly proportional to the voltage, v, and
energetic. The relationship between energy and frequency is given by the equation, E = h,
19. List and explain all observable forms of energy when watching the movement of a roller coaster.
On a roller coaster, energy changes from potential to kinetic energy and back again many times
over the course of a ride. One can physically see the the acceleration taken place in a high speed
roller coaster. Not to mention the gravity and inertia taken place (especially through loops and
hills.) Also, the marble accelerates and builds up enough kinetic energy to propel it through the
The strength of the magnet is usually what stop the roller coaster. In addition, roller coasters use
the opposite side of magnets that repel in order to accelerate. Roller Coasters only use magnets at
the beginning when you go up the first hill, after that the roller coaster creates enough energy to
push itself. The roller coaster stops using magnets also, the amount of magnets can vary with the
roller coaster.