How Roller Coasters Convert Potential Energy To Kinetic Energy

How Roller Coasters Convert Potential Energy to Kinetic Energy

Maximus Rosales

Grade 11

Potential Energy was proposed in the 19th century and can be shown in many ways during a roller coaster. When Potential Energy was proposed in the 19th century it was proposed by a Scottish engineer and physicist whose name was William Rankine, who studied mathematics and physics. Potential Energy is when an object contains energy because of the position of the object.

Therefore, a roller coaster shows potential energy when a roller coaster is pulled up by chains that are under the roller coaster, the roller coaster then begins to gain potential energy. Potential energy is also converted when the roller coasters are pulled to a reaching point

First I learned who proposed potential energy, William Rankine, and who proposed the idea of kinetic energy, William Thompson, known as Lord Kelvin, and how they both work during a roller coaster. Potential energy works when energy is being held and it has not happened potential is when energy is being formed. On the other hand, kinetic energy is when throughout the roller coaster and is energy being gained throughout the roller coaster. So when the potential energy starts at the top of the roller coaster after accelerating throughout the roller coaster there is energy that is gained and therefore kinetic energy is shown, which shows many times throughout the roller coaster potential energy is being converted. Then to gain a more visual representation I created a roller coaster using pool noodles and a marble and throughout the roller coaster, it demonstrated many times how the potential energy was converted into kinetic energy. Also making my roller coaster made me understand the concept, and expand my knowledge about potential energy and kinetic energy. In conclusion, I learned many new things about roller coasters and how potential energy is coveted into kinetic energy, and through the roller coaster that I developed I gained a better understanding of potential energy and kinetic energy, as also the background of the energies. In ending my work, next time you are on a roller coaster think about the many ways the roller coaster is gaining potential energy and when the roller coaster is gaining kinetic energy, and how the energy is being