Many people enjoy going to amusement parks. The delicious food, carnival games, and thrilling rides all entice young children, teenagers, adults, and even the elderly. One of the most enjoyable rides at an amusement park is the roller coaster. They have been the "must ride" attraction at amusement and theme parks for more than a century and can even reach speeds up to 149 mile per hour. However, sometimes there isn’t even an engine for the roller coaster. Even without an engine, roller coasters are able to run because of kinetic and potential energy. Roller coaster rides involve a great deal of energy at each position. With the chain, the roller coaster is able to be pulled up to the first and tallest hill. (Background Information) At the top of the hill, the roller coaster cars possess the most potential energy. As the cars are released down the hill, its potential energy transforms into kinetic energy, which is what keeps them going after the first hill. Right before the cars reach the end of the hill is where they have the most kinetic energy. Throughout the ride, wherever there is the most potential energy, there is the least kinetic energy, and vice versa. No matter …show more content…
Potential energy and kinetic energy are measured in the units Joules. The formula h ∙ m is used to find the potential energy, in which h is the height and m is the mass. (TIM Notes) The more height and mass an object has, the greater its potential energy. Therefore, the potential energy of the roller coaster depends on how high the hills are and the mass of the roller coaster itself. The formula 1/2 ∙ m ∙ v2 is used to find the kinetic energy; in which m is the mass and v is the velocity, or speed. (TIM Notes) Having more mass and velocity gives an object a greater ability to cause change. The kinetic energy of the roller coaster depends on the speed it is going as and its