Roller Coaster Physics

How does the height of a roller coaster affect its speed?

• The height of a roller coaster affects its speed due to the force of gravity.

• The height of a roller coaster affects its speed due to the principle of conservation of energy.

• The higher the roller coaster, the slower its speed.

• The height of a roller coaster has no effect on its speed.

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What happens to the potential energy of a roller coaster as it goes down a hill?

• The potential energy increases.

• The potential energy remains constant.

• The potential energy fluctuates.

• The potential energy decreases.

What happens to the kinetic energy of a roller coaster as it goes up a hill?

• The kinetic energy fluctuates.

• The kinetic energy decreases.

• The kinetic energy remains constant.

• The kinetic energy increases.

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Consider the coaster track in the diagram. The speed of the roller coaster car at location X will be the asme as the speed that it has at location________.

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

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A roller coaster starts from point A and travels to H. What changes would be observed in the kinetic energy (KE), potential energy (PE) and the speed (V) as the car travels from D to E to F?

• KE increases, PE decreases, V increases

• KE increases, PE decreases, V decreases

• KE decreases, PE increases, V increases

• KE increases, PE decreases, V stays the same

• KE decreases, PE increases, V decreases

Answer explanation

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A roller coaster starts from point A and travels to H. What changes would be observed in the kinetic energy (KE), potential energy (PE) and the speed (V) as the car travels from C to D?

• KE increases, PE decreases, V increases

• KE increases, PE decreases, V decreases

• KE decreases, PE increases, V increases

• KE increases, PE decreases, V stays the same

• KE decreases, PE increases, V decreases

Answer explanation

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Consider the coaster layout in the picture. Assuming there is no track drag, the kinetic energy (KE) of the coaster car would be _________.

• the greatest at location A

• the greatest at location E

• the same all the time

• the greatest at location C

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Consider the coaster layout in the picture. Assuming there is no track drag, the potential energy (PE) of the coaster car would be _________.

• the greatest at location A

• the greatest at location E

• the same all the time

• the greatest at location C

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What is the main form of energy transformation that occurs on a roller coaster?

• Conversion of thermal energy to kinetic energy

• Conversion of sound energy to kinetic energy

• Conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy and vice versa

• Conversion of electrical energy to potential energy

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What role does friction play in the operation of a roller coaster?

• Friction has no effect on the operation of a roller coaster.

• Friction helps to slow down the roller coaster and control its speed.

• Friction helps to speed up the roller coaster and make it go faster.

• Friction helps to lift the roller coaster off the track.

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