Marble Roller Coaster Potential Energy

As it rolls over the hills and through the loops of the roller coaster it experiences a continual interchange of potential and.

Marble roller coaster potential energy.

This unit introduces potential energy and kinetic energy. Before a roller coaster is launched it is slowly pulled up to the highest part of the track by a motor driven chain. With a roller coaster this is acheived by pulling the train up a lift hill to the coaster s highest point. Since potential energy is only dependant on a change in height changing the run should have little to no effect on how far the marble travels.

Build your own marble roller coaster in this project and find out. Marbles have a limited amount of energy so encourage the students to plan their roller coaster according to how much energy the marble has. The marble rolls because it has gravitational potential energy. At the end of the roller coaster unit students should be able to describe what causes variations in the amount of potential energy an object has.

This kinetic energy will never be greater than the marble s original amount of potential energy. Background roller coasters rely on two types of energy to operate. Why we love roller coasters. Energy systems are explained using focus words including momentum velocity acceleration inertia friction and gravity.

Abstract if you d like to investigate the physics of amusement park rides then this project is for you. Start the coaster high and test regularly. The same principles apply to a real roller coaster. 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.

They re miniature versions of the types of roller coasters you d find at amusement parks and they include twists turns and loops. Potential energy is gathered by an object as it moves upwards or away from the earth. Marble roller coasters are science based interactive toys that work on the principles of physics particularly changing potential energy into kinetic energy. Converting potential energy to kinetic energy have multiple groups work together to build a single larger roller coaster.

Students explore our obsession with roller coasters since their introduction in the 17th century. Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy. For example a coaster could go between three levels a desk a chair and the floor. Given students the potential and kinetic videos clips at the end of the roller coaster unit students should be able to explain the difference between potential and kinetic energy.

As it moves higher it has more potential to fall to earth increasing its kinetic. Demo a marble run.