At what point does a roller coaster have the greatest kinetic energy?

Answer 1

Potential energy is at its greatest when the train is at the highest point of the track.

At the top of the first hill, before the first plunge.

Potential energy = mass * gravity * height

mass * gravity remain constant.

When Height is greatest, PE is greatest

Answer 2

The potential energy is greatest on a roller coaster at its highest point such as the top of its largest fall, this is becasue the basic equation for calculating potential energy is "Potential Energy= Mass (kilograms) X Gravity (9.81 m/s) X height (meters)"

Answer 3

At the top of the first hill. When the roller coaster goes over the first hill nothing can be higher then that first drop.
Roller Coasters (standard ones) work by towing something up high and then being "let go" down a track which goes down (under Gravity). At the top the energy is all potential gravitational energy - when it is released, its potential is released.

If it was allowed to come to a rest at the ground, at that instant (reaching the ground) the energy would all be Kinetic (due to momentum) and none potential (as it could fall no lower).

As a RC does not tend to hit the floor (we hope!) it has maximum KE at the lowest point following the highest peak - i.e. where the drop was greatest (down - ignore along - the track may be longer over a more gentle slope - this is irrelevant, it is the difference between the maximum height and the minimum that released the most PE into KE).

Answer 4

A roller coaster has the greatest gravitational potential energy at the highest point above the ground, (or at the highest point in the loop).

Answer 5

During the ride, the cars of a roller coaster reach their maximum kinetic energy when at the bottom of their path.

Answer 6

maximum kinetic energy when at the bottom of their path.

Answer 7

When it is in a higher position, it has more potential energy than when it is in a lower position.

Answer 8

H