How does the gravitational potential energy of a roller coaster cart change on a roller coaster ride?

Answer 1

The energy doesn't really affect the roller coaster as much as the coaster affects the energy.

Potential energy is highest and kinetic energy is lowest at the crest of the roller coaster (top of the hill), then later changed to kinetic energy as it moves down into the trough (bottom). Kinetic energy is greatest and potential energy due to gravity is lowest at the trough.

Also remember that KE = 1/2(mass)(velocity)2

and that GPE or potential energy due to gravity = (mass)(9.8 m/s2)(height)

Answer 2

Although the roller coaster coasts up and down the ramp many times, energy is conserved; energy is always conserved.

You will notice that before the roller coast goes down its first hill, it is pushed by a motor/mechanism to the top. Yet after this, the roller coaster is on its own. The initial potential energy it gains is converted to kinetic energy when it goes down, then converted back to potential energy as it climbs up another hill. Energy constantly shifts back and forth (mainly) between kinetic and potential energy.

Why does the roller coaster slow down then? The energy is conserved but it is also converted to other forms such as sound and heat energy. This is why the roller coaster gets slower and slower at the end of the ride.

Answer 3

As the roller coaster train travels further from the earth's gravitational field (upwards), the train's gravitational potential increases. For example, as the train travels up the first lift hill (which is usually the highest hill), it's maximum potential energy is at the top of the hill. The train then begins to travel down the drop and it loses it's gravitational potential (it becomes closer to the earth) and in the place of this lost energy it gains kinetic potential energy. Its kinetic energy is highest at the bottom of the drop, and it's gravitational potential is lowest at that point.

As the train continues throughout the track, eventually friction, air resistance, sound and various brakes that are implemented on the track provide external work, which acts to take energy away from the train, causing its kinetic and gravitational potential maximums to be far lower than what they originally were at the beginning of the ride.

If it wasn't for these brakes and friction that is prevalent throughout the track, it would be extremely dangerous to try and stop the train when it returned to the station as it would be going at it's maximum possible speed!

Answer 4

Potential energy is the amount of energy an object has 'potentially.' eg. An object that has been raise to a certain height has an amount of energy specific to its hight. While energy cannot be created or destroyed, this energy is potentially viable.

Kinetic Energy is the energy that a moving energy has.

To consider these energy classes in terms of a roller coaster there are two main formulas.

For potential energy;

Ep = mgh

Where m is the mass in kg, g is the gravity acceleration constant (~9.8m/s^s)

and h is the height in m.

For Kinetic Energy:

EK = 1/2*m*v^2

Where m is the mass in kg and v is the velocity in m/s.

For Example, a roller coaster at the highest point has the most potential energy. The speed of this roller coaster when it reaches a lower point can be found by equalling the equations EP = EK and solving for v.

Answer 5

At the top of a hill, PE is at its maximum and KE is zero. As the car rolls down the hill, KE increases and PE decreases until the car reaches the bottom of the hill, at which point KE is at its maximum and PE is zero. As the car rolls up the next hill, KE decreases while PE increases, until the car reaches the top of the hill. At that point, PE is at is maximum and KE is zero.

Answer 6

Assuming no energy is lost to air resistance or friction, then the potential energy at the highest point is equal to the kinetic energy at the lowest point of the ride.

Answer 7

When it starts to come to a down slope. It will gradually change from potential to kinetic on the slope

Answer 8

As the cart goes up, the PE increases. As it goes down, the PE decreases.