Question

part b: examining potential energy and kinetic energy
1.) go to: https://indiana.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ hew06.sci.phys.maf.rollercoaster/energy - in - a - roller - coaster - ride
2.) press the launch button
3.) press the \step\ button to step through each section of the roller coaster to complete the table below.
4.) color the potential energy pink/red and the kinetic energy blue/purple
analysis/conclusion. complete all these questions.

1. from location ① to ②:

what happens to the kinetic energy?
what happens to the potential energy?
what is the rollercoaster doing?

1. from location ⑤ to ⑥:

what happens to the kinetic energy?
what happens to the potential energy?
what is the rollercoaster doing?
rollercoaster paragraph:
write a paragraph about roller coasters using what you learned in this activity.
ideas to include:
question 4 from part a
question 1 from part b
question 2 from part b

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the relationship between velocity and kinetic energy

Kinetic energy is given by the formula \(KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\). As velocity increases, kinetic energy increases (since \(KE\propto v^{2}\)). From location ① (\(v = 3m/s\)) to ② (\(v=20m/s\)), velocity increases.

Step2: Analyze the relationship between height and potential energy

Potential energy is given by the formula \(PE = mgh\). As height decreases, potential energy decreases (since \(PE\propto h\)). From location ① (\(h = 90m\)) to ② (\(h = 10m\)), height decreases.

Step3: Analyze the motion of the roller - coaster

When velocity increases and height decreases, the roller - coaster is descending.

Step4: Analyze the second part (location ⑤ to ⑥)

For kinetic energy: From location ⑤ (\(v = 16m/s\)) to ⑥ (assuming velocity from the trend, if we consider the energy conversion, as height increases (\(h\) from \(20m\) to \(40m\)), using \(KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\) and \(PE=mgh\) and conservation of mechanical energy (\(E = KE+PE\)), velocity decreases, so kinetic energy decreases.
For potential energy: Using \(PE=mgh\), as \(h\) increases from \(20m\) to \(40m\), potential energy increases.
For the motion: When height increases and velocity (and thus kinetic energy) decreases, the roller - coaster is ascending.

Answer:

1.

• Kinetic energy: Increases.
• Potential energy: Decreases.
• Roller - coaster: Descending.

2.

• Kinetic energy: Decreases.
• Potential energy: Increases.
• Roller - coaster: Ascending.