Design Challenge:Build a Roller Coaster

Displacement – measures the change in position of an object, using the starting point, ending point, and noting the position. * In this lab, you will figure out what the displacement is by finding the distance the cup moves from the end of the roller coaster.

Momentum – product of mass and velocity; quantity of motion for an object. Formula: Momentum = Mass x Velocity

Speed – rate of change of an object’s position

Velocity – rate of change of displacement; includes both speed and direction. Formula: Velocity = Displacement (cm) /time (seconds)

WORDS TO KNOW….WRITE THE DEFINITION FOR EACH

WORD IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

Dependent variable – the variable that you measure

Independent variable – the variable that you manipulate (change)

WORDS TO KNOW CONTINUED….WRITE THE DEFINITION FOR EACH

WORD IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

Not all of the cars’ potential energy (PE) is converted into kineticenergy (KE) as the cars go down the first hill. In addition, not allof the cars’ kinetic energy is converted into potential energy asthe cars go up the second hill. Some of it is changed into thermalenergy because of friction.

Energy Conversions in a Roller Coaster

B. KE at the bottom of thefirst hill is less than thePE at the top was.

C. PE at the topof the second hill is less than KE and PE from the first hill.

A. PE is greatest at the

top of the first hill.

Take Cornell Notes…

To build the fastest roller coaster….

in the class!!  

PURPOSE:

• insulation tubing• stopwatch•marble•masking tape•plastic cups

MATERIALS:

Construct your roller coaster using the materials provided.

Test your roller coaster to make sure the marble makes it though the entire length and adjust your design where necessary.

Determine the speed of your roller coaster by using your stopwatch to measure how fast the marble makes it through your ride.

 

PROCEDURE:

ANALYSIS and CONCLUSION:After each group has built and tested their roller coaster, use the data from each group to construct a chart. Which

group built the fastest roller coaster?

ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION: