ROLLER COASTER CONSERVATION OF ENERGY PRE-LAB

Instructions: Answer the following questions completely ON THIS HANDOUT!

1. Using the diagram below, discuss what type of energy will be present at each
point along the roller coaster track.

Potential Potential
energy energy

Kinetic Kinetic
energy energy Kinetic
Potential energy
energy
Potential
energy

2. Where do the following events occur (reference the diagram) and explain
your reasoning carefully and completely:
a. The marble is traveling the fastest:
At points 2 and 6

b. The marble has the most kinetic energy:

At points 2 and 6

c. The marble has the most potential energy:

At points 1 and 5

3. If conservation of energy is true, what do we expect to see happen with our

lab results? Make sure you discuss potential, kinetic, and total mechanical
energies in your prediction.
 ROLLER COASTER CONSERVATION OF ENERGY POST-LAB
Instructions: Answer the following questions completely ON THIS HANDOUT!
As the total energy is always conserved, the energy of the whole system will
be the same but just converted between different forms of energy. The total
kinetic and potential energy will be the same.