Detail Page
written by
Tom Henderson
This tutorial features an animated roller coaster with two loops. Energy bar graphs show transformation of energy from potential to kinetic as the car starts its descent from the top of the first hill and continues on its own momentum, acted upon only by the force of gravity and the normal force.
Editor's Note: This animation illustrates a system in which TME (total mechanical energy) remains the same during the course of the motion. BUT, remember, it's an idealized system -- the roller coaster car had to somehow get up the hill, motion that involves additional external forces. To keep the tutorial simple, the author deliberately neglected dissipative forces and the forces involved in lifting the car up the incline.
Next Generation Science StandardsEnergy (HS-PS3)
Students who demonstrate understanding can: (9-12)
Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)
Definitions of Energy (PS3.A)
Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer (PS3.B)
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)4. The Physical Setting
4E. Energy Transformations
4F. Motion
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics AlignmentsHigh School — Algebra (9-12)
Creating Equations? (9-12)
High School — Functions (9-12)
Interpreting Functions (9-12)
Common Core State Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects 6—12
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (6-12)
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity (6-12)
This resource is part of 3 Physics Front Topical Units.
Topic: Kinematics: The Physics of Motion
Unit Title: The Case of Roller Coasters Short tutorial that uses an animation to illustrate the work/energy relationship in a roller coaster. The author breaks down the associated equation to show how total mechanical energy is conserved in the system. Link to Unit:
Topic: Conservation of Energy
Unit Title: Energy Transformation For teachers wanting some background information on energy transformation: this tutorial features an animated roller coaster with moving bar graphs that depict kinetic and potential energy as the car descends and climbs. It is a great example of a system in which TME (Total Mechanical Energy) remains the same during the course of the motion. Links to Units:
Topic: Conservation of Energy
Unit Title: Energy Transformation This tutorial features an animated roller coaster with moving bar graphs that depict kinetic and potential energy as the car descends and climbs. It is an example of a system in which TME (Total Mechanical Energy) remains the same during the course of the motion. Link to Unit:
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=6131">Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation on a Roller Coaster. November 6, 2006.</a>
AIP Format
T. Henderson, (2004), WWW Document, (https://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/energy/ce.cfm).
AJP/PRST-PER
T. Henderson, The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation on a Roller Coaster (2004), <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/energy/ce.cfm>.
APA Format
Henderson, T. (2006, November 6). The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation on a Roller Coaster. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/energy/ce.cfm
Chicago Format
Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation on a Roller Coaster. November 6, 2006. https://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/energy/ce.cfm (accessed 12 December 2024).
MLA Format
Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation on a Roller Coaster. 2004. 6 Nov. 2006. 12 Dec. 2024 <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/energy/ce.cfm>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{
Author = "Tom Henderson",
Title = {The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation on a Roller Coaster},
Volume = {2024},
Number = {12 December 2024},
Month = {November 6, 2006},
Year = {2004}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Tom Henderson %T The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation on a Roller Coaster %D November 6, 2006 %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/energy/ce.cfm %O image/jpeg
EndNote Export Format
%0 Electronic Source %A Henderson, Tom %D November 6, 2006 %T The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation on a Roller Coaster %V 2024 %N 12 December 2024 %8 November 6, 2006 %9 image/jpeg %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/energy/ce.cfm Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in 22 shared folders. You must login to access shared folders. The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation on a Roller Coaster:
Is a Student Extra Of
Physics Classroom: Analysis of Situations in Which Mechanical Energy is Conserved
Covers the Same Topic As
The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation for Downhill Skiing
This item is an animation of a skier descending a slope and encountering the force of friction at the end of the run. It contains four energy bar graphs depicting KE, PE, Work, and TME (Total Mechanical Energy). It differs from the Roller Coaster animation in that it illustrates a system where TME is lost due to friction. relation by Bruce MasonKnow of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
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Physics Classroom: Analysis of Situations in Which Mechanical Energy is… Covers the Same Topic AsThe Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation for Downhill Skiing Similar Materials |