Physics of Roller Coasters Vocabulary

The ability to do work.

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An influence (push or pull) on a body or system, causing a change in movement or shape.

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A force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth.

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The energy of motion. An object in any form of motion has kinetic energy (e.g., running, walking, dancing, flying, etc.)

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Energy possessed by an object due to its motion or its stored energy of position. Mechanical energy can be either kinetic (energy of motion) or potential (stored energy of position).

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The energy of position; energy that is stored and held in readiness - waiting to move (e.g., a ball held in the air, sitting still, waiting motionless).

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A change in velocity over a period of time. That means if you change how fast you are going or change the direction you are moving, it counts as acceleration!

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A location in space usually denoted by a set of coordinates relative to some arbitrary origin (i.e., x & y coordinates).

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A change in position over a period of time. Velocity includes not only the speed of an object, but what direction it moves.

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