Question

from the physics classrooms physics interactive
http://www.physicsclassroom.com
1/15/25
laylah comer 3:13
concept checkers
roller coasters and energy
purpose: to investigate energy relationships for a roller coaster car.
getting ready: navigate to the roller coaster model in the physics interactives section of the physics
classroom website:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/physics-interactives/work-and-energy/roller-coaster-model
path:
physicsclassroom.com => physics interactives => work and energy => roller coaster model
once the interactive opens, get acquainted with how it functions. know how to start, pause, step, and
reset the simulation. observe the three different tabs at the top of the simulation for toggling between
ramp, loop, and bumps. observe that each track design can be further modified by dragging a grey
circle to a different position. experiment with the three controls for showing the velocity vector and
force vectors and toggling track drag on and off. once acquainted with the program, select the ramp
button to reset the simulation to default settings and then perform the following studies:
section 1: basic energy relationships

1. click/tap the start button and observe the motion. view the bar

charts and the velocity value as the coaster car moves. complete
the following paragraph by entering total mechanical energy
(me), kinetic energy (ke), and potential energy (pe). the
labeled locations refer to the graphic at the right.
as the coaster car rolls down the track from a to e, the
values decrease and the ________ value
increase and the ________ values remain constant. the
________ is greatest at point a and smallest at point e.
however, the ________ is smallest at point a and largest
at point e.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze potential energy

As the coaster car rolls down from A to E, height decreases. Since potential energy \(PE = mgh\) (where \(m\) is mass, \(g\) is acceleration due to gravity, \(h\) is height), potential energy values decrease.

Step2: Analyze kinetic energy

As the car rolls down, speed (velocity) increases. Kinetic energy \(KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\) (where \(m\) is mass, \(v\) is velocity), so kinetic energy values increase.

Step3: Analyze total mechanical energy

In the absence of non - conservative forces (assuming ideal situation as per basic energy relationship study), total mechanical energy \(ME=KE + PE\) remains constant.

Answer:

As the coaster car rolls down the track from A to E, the potential energy values decrease and the kinetic energy value increase and the total mechanical energy values remain constant. The potential energy is greatest at point A and smallest at point E. However, the kinetic energy is smallest at point A and largest at point E.