Physics of Roller Coasters Vocabulary

The ability to do work.

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

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

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

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).

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).

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!

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

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