Roller Coaster Energy and the Law of Conservation of Energy

Front

What happens when energy changes type?

Back

It has transformed.

Front

What does the law of conservation of energy state?

Back

Energy cannot be created nor destroyed.

Front

Where is potential energy the greatest when a ball is projected into the air?

Back

At the highest point of its trajectory.

Front

What is the difference between energy transfer and energy transformation?

Back

Transfer is from place to place and transformation is type to type.

Front

What is energy efficiency?

Back

The ratio of useful energy released to the total energy absorbed.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

The energy of an object due to its motion.

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

The energy stored in an object due to its position or state.

Front

Give an example of energy transformation in a roller coaster.

Back

Potential energy at the top transforms to kinetic energy as it descends.

Front

What is mechanical energy?

Back

The sum of potential and kinetic energy in an object.

Front

How does friction affect energy in a roller coaster?

Back

Friction converts some mechanical energy into thermal energy, reducing efficiency.