Riccardo's Science Blog

Summary : A roller coaster ride is a thrilling experience which involves a lot of physics. Part of the physics of a roller coaster is the physics of work and energy. The ride often begins as a chain and motor which exerts a force on the train of cars to lift the train to the top of a vary tall hill. Once the cars are lifted to the top of the hill, gravity takes over and the remainder of the ride is an experience in energy transformation. At the top of the hill, the cars possess a large amount of potential energy. Potential energy is dependent upon the mass of the object and the height of the object. As the cars descend the first drop they lose much of this potential energy in accord with their loss of height. The cars subsequently gain kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is dependent upon the mass of the object and the speed of the object. Therefore, their original potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy. Backward-Looking:  How much did you know about the subject befor...

Summary: A roller coaster is a thrilling experience which involves lots of physics. Part of the physics of a roller coaster is the physics of work and energy. At the top of the hill, the cars possess a large amount of potential energy. Potential energy is dependent upon the mass of the object and the height of the object. The car's large amount of potential energy is due to the fact that they are at a large height above the ground. As the cars descend the first drop they lose much of this potential energy in accord with their loss of height. The cars subsequently gain kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is dependent upon the mass of the object and the speed of the object. The train of coaster cars speeds up as they lose height. Thus, their original potential energy (due to their large height) is transformed into kinetic energy (revealed by their high speeds). SP2 - Using Models: The project we are doing is a big model which helps us understand potential and kinetic energy, sp...

Summary: There are two forms of energy, kinetic and potential. Kinetic energy is a scalar quantity and is the energy of motion. An object that has motion - whether it is vertical or horizontal motion - has kinetic energy. Potential energy is the energy stored and waiting to be used. Potential energy is split into 3 forms, gravitational, elastic, chemical. Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object as the result of its vertical position or height. Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in elastic materials as the result of their stretching or compressing. Chemical energy is potential energy stored within the chemical bonds of an object. If you have mass and speed, you have to the ability to do work. Work is measured in the unit of joules, using the formula Force x Distance = work.  SP6 - Constructing Explanations and Designing Solution:  This week, I have been studying the energy, specifically potential and kinetic energy. To learn a...