Kinetic and Potential energy transformation in a roller coaster
Kinetic energy is energy in motion; in physics, the kinetic energy of an object is the energy that it possesses due to its motion. It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity. Kinetic energy depends on mass and speed, kinetic energy like energy is expressed in joules. "Kinetic energy depends on speed more than mass. So if the speed doubles the energy quadruples. For example when a car at high speed gets into an accident, it does more damage than when it is at lower speeds due to kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is used daily without you knowing. The way kinetic energy is used may vary, and in some ways kinetic energy is the power source of movement in many objects. Potential energy is stored energy, stored energy due to position above the ground is called gravitational potential energy (GPE). For example the heavy ball of a
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A roller coaster uses both kinetic and potential energy because, part of the physics of a roller coaster is the physics of work and energy. The ride usually begins as a chain and motor (or other mechanical device) exerts a force on the train of cars to lift the train to the top of a very tall hill. Once the cars are on top of the hill, gravity takes over and the remainder of the ride is an experience in energy transformation. When the coaster car is on top of the hill it contains a large amount of potential energy (due to height) but as it makes its way down it loses potential energy due to the drop in height. the energy of motion is dependent upon the mass of the object and the speed of the object. As a roller coaster is coming down a hill it loses height causing the coaster car to speed up. The original potential energy (due to the height of the coaster car when on top of the hill) is transformed into kinetic