Marble Roller Coaster Physics Concepts

Key concepts physics gravity potential energy kinetic energy friction conservation of energy.

Marble roller coaster physics concepts.

The purpose of the coaster s initial ascent is to build up a sort of reservoir of potential energy the concept of potential energy often referred to as energy of position is very simple. You ll build a roller coaster track for marbles using foam pipe insulation and masking tape and see how much the marble s potential energy at the beginning of the track is converted to kinetic energy at various points along the track. The book explains various physics concepts such as gravity mass and weight. The foam tubing roller.

Arrange plenty of space in your room cleanup. As the coaster gets higher in the air gravity can pull it down a greater distance you experience this phenomenon all the time. Build your own marble roller coaster in this project and find out. Identify the two parts.

It also includes over 20 science experiments. Then have everyone gently take apart only their own roller coaster and clump all the used tape into a giant tape ball start of class lecture. Abstract if you d like to investigate the physics of amusement park rides then this project is for you. Allow 2 minutes near end of class for students to try each others coasters.

Putting together the roller coaster is a fun project for older kids. The lesson plan difficulty.