Question

informational reading comprehension: physics at play! roller coasters answer the following questions about “physics at play: roller coasters.” 1. what is the central idea of the text? roller coasters do not need engines in order to take the riders through an exciting ride. thrill - seeking engineers with specialized physics knowledge design roller coasters. roller coasters utilize a combination of physics concepts to take passengers from start to finish. roller coasters rely on gravity, potential and kinetic energy, and inertia to keep passengers safe. 2. how does the author develop the central idea over the course of the text? 3. based on information in paragraph 8, what is inertia? a. the tendency of an object to remain still or on a constant course unless a force makes it change b. a law of motion stating that energy can be changed into other forms but never truly lost c. the tendency of an object to be drawn toward the center when moving along a circular path d. a law of motion stating that the higher an object is positioned, the more potential energy it has 4. label the image of a roller coaster with a, b, and c, based on the associated descriptions below. then, cite evidence from the passage to support your answers on the lines below the drawing. a. a mostly even mix of potential and kinetic energy b. a point of mostly kinetic energy c. the point of maximum potential energy evidence: a. b. c.

Explanation:

1. The central idea of a text about roller - coasters in a physics context is that they utilize multiple physics concepts to operate. Roller - coasters use gravity, potential and kinetic energy, and inertia to take passengers from start to finish. This is a comprehensive view that encompasses the key physical principles involved in their operation.
2. The author likely develops the central idea by explaining each physics concept (gravity, potential and kinetic energy, inertia) and how it relates to the roller - coaster's operation throughout the text.
3. Inertia is the tendency of an object to remain still or on a constant course unless a force makes it change. This is a fundamental definition in physics related to Newton's first law of motion.
4. The point of maximum potential energy (C) is at the highest point of the roller - coaster track as potential energy is related to height ($PE = mgh$). A point of mostly kinetic energy (B) is at the lowest point of the track where the coaster is moving the fastest as kinetic energy is related to speed ($KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}$). A mostly even mix of potential and kinetic energy (A) is at a mid - height point on the track where the coaster has some height (potential energy) and some speed (kinetic energy). Evidence can be found in passages that explain the relationship between height, speed, and the two forms of energy in the context of roller - coasters.

Answer:

1. Roller coasters utilize a combination of physics concepts to take passengers from start to finish.
2. By explaining each relevant physics concept and its relation to roller - coaster operation.
3. a. the tendency of an object to remain still or on a constant course unless a force makes it change
4. C: At the highest point of the track. Evidence: Potential energy is highest at the greatest height as $PE = mgh$.

B: At the lowest point of the track. Evidence: Kinetic energy is highest at the greatest speed as $KE=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}$.
A: At a mid - height point on the track. Evidence: Has both some height (potential energy) and some speed (kinetic energy).