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, speed, Newton's laws, and scalars and vectors. By creating a model roller coaster, we can see where the highest kinetic energy is and where the highest potential energy is. As well as where the lowest kinetic and potential energy is. We can see how changing the track affects acceleration and average speed. To be more specific, having a model allows us to see how we can use things such as a hill, turn, or loop to affect the ride.
XCC-Stability and Change: Many things can go wrong when you are creating a roller coaster out of insulation tubes, dowels, cardboard, and tape. When testing out different types of tracks, such as where to put a loop and a turn, precision is key. Even when you get it to work, just one slight movement and nothing works anymore. Tape can dry out, someone might accidentally move the board, etc. As you can see, stability and change is clear when dealing with model roller coasters.
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