Decorea' White

TLC Roller Coaster Video

At the start of a roller coaster, potential energy builds up, gravity then takes over. After this happens, kinetic energy sets off during the ride. I also noticed that there is much more speed gained after coming down from a loop or from a downward ramp.The gravitational force also got lower as the ride went higher.

Discovery Education Video

All roller coasters use physics to work. The starting point uses a mechanism to pull up the cart, and the rest of the roller coaster uses kinetic energy to move to the cart throughout. Most roller coasters do not even use engines or motors to move the coaster at all.

TLC How Roller Coasters Work 
















As shown at the beginning of the flash video, the coaster has the most potential energy at the first hill. This gives it a lot of energy to move downwards at a fast speed. At the next point, the energy is used and kinetic energy is increased, as the coaster is in motion. At the next hill, it again builds potential energy, then a shift between potential energy and kinetic energy continues throughout the end of the roller coaster.