Flashcard on Roller Coaster Energy

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or height. It increases as the height of the object increases.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. It depends on the mass and speed of the object.

Front

How does potential energy change when a roller coaster climbs?

Back

As a roller coaster climbs higher, its potential energy increases due to the increase in height.

Front

How does kinetic energy change when a roller coaster slows down?

Back

When a roller coaster slows down, its kinetic energy decreases and can transform into potential energy.

Front

What role does friction play in roller coasters?

Back

Friction is a force that opposes motion, causing roller coasters to slow down.

Front

What is mechanical energy?

Back

Mechanical energy is the sum of potential and kinetic energy in an object.

Front

How does mass affect potential energy?

Back

More mass increases potential energy because potential energy is calculated as mass times height times gravity.

Front

What is the effect of gravity on a roller coaster?

Back

Gravity pulls the roller coaster down, converting potential energy into kinetic energy as it descends.

Front

What happens to energy during a roller coaster ride?

Back

Energy transforms between potential and kinetic forms as the roller coaster moves up and down.

Front

What is the relationship between speed and kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy increases with the square of the speed; if speed doubles, kinetic energy increases by four times.