At the top point when hanging over the edge of the track.
This is because the ride is near stationary however has the potential to travel extremely fast downwards.
On a pendulum, the greatest potential energy is at the highest point of the swing on either side, and the greatest kinetic energy is at the bottom of the swing. On a roller coaster, the greatest potential energy is at the top of a hill, and the greatest kinetic energy is at the bottom of the hill.
It is when the car is at its highest point.
When you are going down you have the most potential energy because the roller coaster and the speed is helping you go faster!
When the roller coaster is at its highest position and is not moving then its potential energy is highest
When the roller coaster is at its highest position and is not moving then its potential energy is highest
The potential energy is highest at the top of the first hill or peak of the roller coaster because it is at its maximum height above the ground. As the roller coaster descends, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the car gains speed.
If it is a rollercoaster that has a first drop hill, the roller coaster has the greatest kinetic energy at the bottom of that drop. If it is magnetically launched, the kinetic energy is probably greatest immediately after the launch. However, there are cases where these statements may not be true. (i.e. a drop right after a magnetic launch)The energy is the greatest at the bottom of a drop, before some is translated back into potential energy as the car climbs the next rise.
The top of the first hill. This is where the coaster has its greatest amount of potential energy which is converted to kinetic energy as it moves along the track.
When the roller coaster - or any object, for that matter - is at its highest point, it has more potential energy than when it is at a lower point.
Energy is transferred from potential to kinetic on a roller coaster as the coaster descends from a higher elevation to a lower elevation. As the coaster moves downwards, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. This energy transfer allows the coaster to gain speed and momentum.
Potential energy is used when going up hill on a roller coaster. When it starts gong down the potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.
A roller coaster increases kinetic energy when it is going downhill, as gravity is pulling it down and accelerating it. The potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the roller coaster gains speed.