Physics at Play: Roller Coasters

What is the central idea of the text?

• Roller coasters do not need engines in order to takt the riders through an exciting ride.

• Thrill-seeking engineers with specialized physics knowlege design roller coasters.

• Roller coasters utilize a combination of physics concepts to take passengers from start to finish

• Roller coasters rely on gravity, potential, and kinetic engery, and inertia to keep passengers safe.

How does the author develop the central idea over the course of the text?

• by comparing how friction and air resistance affects roller coasters

• by explaining the science behind designing roller coasters

• by describing how Newton's First Law of Motion impacts roller coasters

• by providing examples of how energy is created and used for a fun experience on a roller coaster

Based on information in paragraph 8, what is inertia?

• the tendency of an object to remain still or on a constant course unless a force makes it change.

• a law of motion stating that energy can be changed into other forms but never truly lost.

• the tendency of an object to be drawn toward the center when moving along a circular path

• a law of motion stating that the higher an object is positioned, the more potential energy it has.

Which statement contradicts how kinetic and potential energy is used during a roller coaster ride?

• During the loop, energy is transformed into thermal energy

• At the crest of the hill, energy has a mostly even mix of potential and kinetic energy

• At the top of the hill, energy is at the maximum level of potential energy

• Entering the loop, energy consists of mostly kinetic energy

What similar effect do friction and air resistance have on a roller coaster's energy?

• a process engineers use to simulate a thrilling and safe experience

• Energy that is stored up for potential use

• the energy of motion

• energy transforms into thermal and heat energy resulting in less energy for the roller coaster

Why must the first hill of a roller coaster be the tallest hill of the ride?

• So that friction and air resistance do not reduce the coaster's energy

• so the roller coaster has enough energy left to climb other hills later in the ride

• so the force of gravity can turn the kinetic energy into potential energy

• so the roller coaster can use all of its energy before the loop-the-loops and other hills

What is the most likely reason the author chose to include the section, A Smooth Operation?

• to suggest that safety is the top priority for roller coasters engineers

• to advocate for more research and safety standards in roller coaster design

• to provide examples of how many engineers control a roller coaster ride

• to educate about the role that science plays in the design process