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Since the top of the first hill is the highest point on the track, it's also the point at which the roller coaster's gravitational potential energy is greatest. As the roller coaster passes over the top of the first hill, its total energy is greatest. Most of that total energy is gravitational potential energy but a small amount is kinetic energy, the energy of motion. From that point on, the roller coaster does two things with its energy. First, it begins to transform that energy from one form to another--from gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy and from kinetic energy to gravitational potential energy, back and forth. Second, it begins to transfer some of its energy to its environment, mostly in the form of heat and sound. Each time the roller coaster goes downhill, its gravitational potential energy decreases and its kinetic energy increases. Each time the roller coaster goes uphill, its kinetic energy decreases and its gravitational potential energy increases. But each transfer of energy isn't complete because some of the energy is lost to heat and sound. Because of this lost energy, the roller coaster can't return to its original height after coasting downhill. That's why each successive hill must be lower than the previous hill. Eventually the roller coaster has lost so much of its original total energy that the ride must end. With so little total energy left, the roller coaster can't have much gravitational potential energy and must be much lower than the top of the first hill.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agobecause workers build them lower to help keep the ride safe when its coming to a stop
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Do roller coasters have an upgrade everyday?
Yes. Everyday roller coasters are starting to get faster and stronger than before.
How did roller coasters change over time?
It has changed over time because roller coasters today are muchbigger and faster than before.
Are roller coasters getting faster and stronger?
Yes. Roller coasters are getting much more faster and lot stronger than before. Every single day roller coasters are getting upgraded to make it even more terrifying. In every year, roller coasters are getting a lot scarier and way much more terrifying and it could be possible for roller coasters to get stuck up there but roller coasters still can get down once it was fixed.no
Is it illegal to video tape roller coasters?
It's not illegal to tape roller coasters it's just that if they catch you than you might get kicked out of the park!!!
How displacement has to do with roller coasters?
Roller coasters often have loops and turns that make their final displacement different than their final distance. But, if the roller-coaster is a loop, the displacement will obviously be 0. If the displacement is not 0, it is measured in meters.
Can roller coasters go straight down?
Yes absolutely, Roller Coasters ( depending on the type ) are very able to descend down a vertical angle. Vertical Drop , Dive , Eurofighters roller coaster and more can drop down a vertical drop, some roller coasters can even descend down steeper than vertical drops!!
Are roller coasters safer then skydiving?
Roller coasters are much safer than skydiving. Roller coasters breakdown very rarely and deaths hardly ever happens. When you go skydiving so much can go wrong. You may hit a tree, not deploy your parachute fast enough, or have a crash landing.
Can you go on a roller-coaster if you have your braces for the first time?
Sure. Your teeth might be sore, so try not to go on any shaky roller coasters (smooth ones only). But other than soreness, roller coasters should be no problem. :-)
Do blind people find rides like roller coasters fun?
mI am blind, and I absolutely love all the roller coasters at Cedar Point. In fact, I think blind people can get even more of a thrill out of roller coasters because the sight aspect is almost, if not entirely, eliminated so they experience and perceive the ride differently than those with sight.
Why are roller coasters better now than they were 30 years ago?
they are better because there is better technology and because of safety
Chances of fainting a roller coaster?
A little less than 10%, roller coasters are safe, if you are nervous. They do checks along the track and on the machinery before a park opens every day.
Are roller coasters too dangerous?
Actually, barley. FACT: Roller coasters are safer than crossing the street. Think about it ? How many news reports do you hear about people being hit by cars? @ the most once a month (way more). How many news reports do you hear about people dying, falling off, or being hurt on roller coasters? none I'VE heard ever. See the difference? So a fact is roller coasters are very safe.
