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Roller Coaster Physics Draft Version An exploration of energy as it applies to the science of roller coasters 1 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. 2 Scream Roller Coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain Grand Opening Thunder Dolphin in downtown Tokyo, Japan has a 150 ft drop The Nemesis roller coaster is Europe’s first inverted coaster. It is locate in Alton Towers, England. See page 1 of the student packet Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio. Built in 1976, it was the first roller coaster in the world with 3 inversions. 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 6 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 7 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 continuallyoperating roller coaster, built in 1912 8 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 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. 10 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 12 Explore energy transformation How roller coasters work Roller coaster animation Energy in a roller coaster ride 13 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 Design a roller coaster 15 Energy Energy is the ability to do work. Energy is anything that can make matter move or change. Kinetic Energy Potential Energy Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion. 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. 16 More roller coaster videos How roller coasters work The physics behind the fun 17 See page 2 of the student packet 18 See page 3 of the student packet See page 7 - 9 of the student packet A roller coaster at dorney park 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 21 Essential Question #2 What is the nature of energy? See page 10 of the student packet 22 Essential Question #3 How does energy change forms? See page 10 of the student packet 23 Essential Question #4 What is the relationship between potential and kinetic energy? See page 10 of the student packet 24 Essential Question #5 How can you model or diagram energy transformations? See page 10 of the student packet 25 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-pointandslid_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 26