Energy Unit
Learn about Kinetic and Potential Energy here
I. Do a little research and define Kinetic and Potential Energy with respect to
roller coasters; using the picture above at which point do you believe:
a. Kinetic Energy is the greatest?
b. Potential Energy is the greatest?
c. Kinetic Energy is the least?
d. Potential Energy is the least?
e. At what point are they similar?
II. Provide a listing of the top three or four fastest roller coasters in the world.
III. Scientifically speaking, do you believe that there are limits to how fast a
roller coaster can travel?
IV. Write a brief description of your experience with roller coasters. (50 words)
Welcome to the death defying Funderstanding Roller Coaster Activity!
This simulator is designed for people who want to design their own thrilling coaster and educators who want to use a cool activity to simulate the application of physics by using an exciting interactive tool and access to a wonderful reference source.
It is your mission to design the coaster so that you can achieve maximum thrills and chills without crashing or flying off the track (unless that’s how you like your coaster to work!).
1. Record the trials for at least 10 runs and drawing and labeling your simple coaster
with each trial.
2. Create a table/chart to maintain this data (height of initial hill, shape of 1st hill,
exit path, height of second hill, loop, coaster safety rating and coaster fun rating)
3. Goal: Create several successful completely running roller coasters.
Virtual Roller Coaster starts here!
Sample Chart
Energy Notes
• All objects contain energy in one form or another
• Can take the form of
–Motion -Sound
–Position - Electricity
–Heat
–Light
• It can never be destroyed
• It can only be converted from one form to another
Potential Energy
Energy that is stored and waiting to be used later
Gravitational Potential Energy
o Potential energy due to an object’s position
o P.E. = mass x height x gravity
Elastic Potential Energy
o Potential energy due compression or expansion of an elastic object (rubber bands).
Chemical Potential Energy
o Potential energy stored within the chemical bonds of an object (batteries, coal, etc.)
Kinetic Energy
o Energy an object has due to its motion
o K.E. = .5(mass)(velocity x velocity)
• All objects contain energy in one form or another
• Can take the form of
–Motion -Sound
–Position - Electricity
–Heat
–Light
• It can never be destroyed
• It can only be converted from one form to another
Potential Energy
Energy that is stored and waiting to be used later
Gravitational Potential Energy
o Potential energy due to an object’s position
o P.E. = mass x height x gravity
Elastic Potential Energy
o Potential energy due compression or expansion of an elastic object (rubber bands).
Chemical Potential Energy
o Potential energy stored within the chemical bonds of an object (batteries, coal, etc.)
Kinetic Energy
o Energy an object has due to its motion
o K.E. = .5(mass)(velocity x velocity)
Work and Power
The scientific definition of work is using a force to move an object a distance (when both the force and the motion of the object are in the same direction.
Work = Force x Distance
o The unit of force is newtons
o The unit of distance is meters
o The unit of work is newton-meters
o One newton-meter is equal to one joule
o The unit of work is a Joule
Power = Work/Time
o Power is the rate at which work is done.
o The unit of power is the Watt.
The six simple machines are:
o Lever
o Wheel and Axle
o Pulley
o Inclined Plane
o Wedge
o Screw
A machine is a device that helps make work easier to perform by accomplishing one or more of the following functions:
o transferring a force from one place to another,
o changing the direction of a force,
o increasing the magnitude of a force, or
o increasing the distance or speed of a force.
The scientific definition of work is using a force to move an object a distance (when both the force and the motion of the object are in the same direction.
Work = Force x Distance
o The unit of force is newtons
o The unit of distance is meters
o The unit of work is newton-meters
o One newton-meter is equal to one joule
o The unit of work is a Joule
Power = Work/Time
o Power is the rate at which work is done.
o The unit of power is the Watt.
The six simple machines are:
o Lever
o Wheel and Axle
o Pulley
o Inclined Plane
o Wedge
o Screw
A machine is a device that helps make work easier to perform by accomplishing one or more of the following functions:
o transferring a force from one place to another,
o changing the direction of a force,
o increasing the magnitude of a force, or
o increasing the distance or speed of a force.
Radiant Energy
o also called electromagnetic energy.
o the movement of photons.
Chemical Energy
o is the energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules.
o Products that contain chemical energy include: TNT, baking soda, and a match. Biomass, petroleum, natural gas, propane and coal.
Electrical energy
o is the movement of elections.
o Lightning and static electricity are examples of electrical energy that occur naturally.
Nuclear Energy
o is the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom.
o Nuclear power plants use uranium, a radioactive element, to create electricity.
Thermal energy
o is the internal energy in substances
o the vibration and movement of atoms and molecules within substance.
Sound energy
o is the movement of molecules in the air that produces vibrations.
Mechanical Energy
o is the movement of machine parts.
o also the total amount of kinetic and potential energy in a system.
PE + KE = ME (in a system)