Mechanical Energy: The Secret Behind Roller Coasters
Ever wondered how a roller coaster moves up and down without an engine? The secret is mechanical energy! Mechanical energy is the energy that an object has because of its motion or position. When a roller coaster climbs a hill, it gains potential energy. Potential energy is the energy an object has due to its position. The higher it goes, the more potential energy it gains! Once it reaches the top, it starts to descend. As it zooms down, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. The faster it goes, the more kinetic energy it has! So next time you're on a roller coaster, remember, it's the mechanical energy that's giving you that thrilling ride!
Question 1
What is mechanical energy?
The energy of an object due to its position
The energy of an object due to its motion
The energy that an object has because of its motion or position
Explanation. Mechanical energy is the energy that an object has because of its motion or position.
The energy that a roller coaster gains when it climbs a hill
The energy that a roller coaster gains when it descends a hill
Question 2
What is potential energy?
The energy of an object due to its motion
The energy that a roller coaster gains when it climbs a hill
The energy that a roller coaster gains when it descends a hill
The energy of an object due to its position
Explanation. Potential energy is the energy an object has due to its position.
The energy that an object has because of its motion or position
Question 3
What happens to the roller coaster's potential energy as it descends?
It is converted into mechanical energy
It is converted into kinetic energy
Explanation. As the roller coaster descends, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.
It remains the same
It decreases
It increases
Question 4
What is kinetic energy?
The energy of an object due to its motion
Explanation. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.
The energy that a roller coaster gains when it descends a hill
The energy of an object due to its position
The energy that an object has because of its motion or position
The energy that a roller coaster gains when it climbs a hill
Question 5
Why does a roller coaster gain more potential energy as it climbs higher?
Because the higher it goes, the more kinetic energy it gains
Because the higher it goes, the more potential energy it gains
Explanation. The higher the roller coaster goes, the more potential energy it gains because potential energy is the energy an object has due to its position.
Because the higher it goes, the more mechanical energy it gains
Because the higher it goes, the faster it moves
Because the higher it goes, the slower it moves
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