1/13 Marble Roller Coaster Lab

Monday, December 16, 2019 10:24 AM

Energy Conservation in a Roller Coaster

Procedure:
As previously discussed, in order to calculate the kinetic energy of the marble, we will
need to know the speed (velocity) of the marble at each of the numbered points from
our diagram.
Connected to the wooden roller coaster tracks, you will see a black "photogate". The
photogates record the time it takes for the marble to pass through. This time can be
used to calculate the speed(velocity) of the marble at the point at which the
photogate is located.
The video below shows how the photogate works:

https://ebnet.instructuremedia.com/embed/c570928d-66bf-4afc-99f5-ad929332054c

QUESTION: According to the video, how far does the ball move while the timer is timing?

This is what the roller coaster track looks like all set up to take data at school:

To calculate the gravitational potential energy, we will need to know the height at
which the marble will travel the photogate for each of the points.
For both kinetic and potential energy, we need to know the mass of the marble.

All of these data have been collected for you and provided in the table in your Unit 5
folder in OneNote (Marble Roller Coaster Data).
Data:
You will be working with your group to complete the calculations. Once your
calculations are complete, you will use a Google Sheet spreadsheet to generate a
graph to show the relationship between gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy,
and total mechanical energy based on the calculations done by your group.

Screenshot the graph, and paste your group's graph here:

Analysis:
1.
a. According to your data and graph, as GPE increases, what happens to KE?
kinetic energy decreases

b. According to your data and graph, as GPE decreases, what happens to KE?
Kinetic energy increases

c. What does this information tell you about the relationship between GPE and
KE of the marble throughout its run on the roller coaster track?
i. They have an inverse relationship

2. Although the total mechanical energy is nearly the same from the beginning to the
end of the journey for the marble, it ends up being a little lower than where it
started.
a. According to your group's data and graph, why is there some fluctuation
(changes) in the total mechanical energy? '
 i. Some of the energy could have gotten out of the experiment through errors
in the experiment and the math.

b. How does this still support the law of conservation of energy?

i. There is still a close enough number of energy conserved from the
beginning to the end and they around an equal amount showing how
through the whole experiment energy was conserved.

Directions: Use the roller coaster diagram below to answer questions 3-6.

1. At which ONE numbered point is the GPE the highest? Why?

a. At points 1 and 5 are when the GPE is the highest since they are the highest in height.

2. At point #2, what is happening to the GPE as the marble moves in the direction of the arrow?
a. The GPE is half of what it was at the top and the KE is half. The GPE decreases in value.

3. Which is higher at point #3--GPE or KE? Why?

a. KE is higher at point 3, as It is the lowest point height wise. Additionally, the ball is moving at point 3 so
the KE is higher. The GPE is basically 0 which means the KE is greater in value.
 4. At which TWO numbered points is the KE the highest? Why?
a. 3 and 7 have the highest KE because they are the lowest to the ground. Additionally, the GPE is the
lowest here so the KE will be the highest.

Use the diagram below to answer question 5.

5. According to the diagram shown, what can be said about the total mechanical energy at the top and the
bottom of the hill?
a. The total mechanical energy at the top and the bottom of the hill is the same no matter what.