If its moving it has kinetic energy
When you see a roller coaster you have probably noticed that the first hill of the roller is always the highest unless it has given potential energy. Potential energy is force or stored energy. This is happens because not all potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.
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.
At the top of the hill the roller coaster car has potential energy and no kinetic energy but as the car goes down the hill the kinetic energy increases and the potential energy decreases. This pattern continues at every top and every bottom of each hill. A roller coaster track is built with each hill getting a little smaller each time as the car looses energy over each hill due to air resistance and friction. As the car travels along the tracks some of the kinetic energy is converted to thermal energy because of the friction.
wood
the tracks
yes; wherever the coaster touches the tracks there is static friction pressing against it and it pressing against the tracks, thus keeping it from flying off.
the tracks
Yes, in the tracks and the wheels the roller coaster cart rests on.
A rollercoaster uses a combination of potential energy and kinetic energy. At the highest point of the ride, it has the most potential energy due to its height, while at the lowest point or during fast movements, it converts this potential energy into kinetic energy. Friction and air resistance also play a role in the energy transfer process on a rollercoaster.
See the straight coaster picture and curve ones? Click on them to build a piece. Its the same as the turn tracks and straights.
The wheels are on top, between and below the tracks.
roller coasters waste energy through sound and heat. The wheels on the cart and the metal tracks grind together to make a fricional pull. this causes the screeching sound when the cart stops, and the heat of the track.