How Roller Coasters Work

Front

What is inertia?

Back

Inertia is the tendency of an object to stay at rest or keep moving in a straight line unless acted upon by a force.

Front

What happens to a roller coaster as it moves along the track?

Back

It loses energy due to friction and air resistance.

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or height.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion.

Front

How does a roller coaster gain potential energy?

Back

A roller coaster gains potential energy when it is lifted to a higher point on the track.

Front

How does a roller coaster lose potential energy?

Back

A roller coaster loses potential energy as it goes down a hill.

Front

What is the relationship between potential and kinetic energy in a roller coaster?

Back

As potential energy decreases when going down, kinetic energy increases as the coaster speeds up.

Front

What is the main reason a roller coaster keeps moving?

Back

Inertia helps the roller coaster keep moving along the track.

Front

What type of energy is created when a roller coaster goes down a hill?

Back

Kinetic energy is created as the roller coaster speeds up going down.

Front

What happens to the energy of a roller coaster at the top of a hill?

Back

At the top of a hill, the roller coaster has maximum potential energy.