Physics of a Rollercoaster Quiz

What happens to the kinetic energy of a rollercoaster car as it climbs up a hill?

• It increases.

• It decreases.

• It remains constant.

• It converts to thermal energy.

Analyze the relationship between the radius of a rollercoaster loop and the centripetal force required to keep the car on the track. What happens if the radius is increased?

• The centripetal force increases.

• The centripetal force decreases.

• The centripetal force remains the same.

• The centripetal force becomes zero.

What type of energy is at its maximum at the highest point of a rollercoaster?

• Kinetic Energy

• Potential Energy

• Thermal Energy

• Sound Energy

Which of the following best describes the energy transformation that occurs as a rollercoaster descends from the highest point?

• Kinetic energy to potential energy

• Potential energy to kinetic energy

• Thermal energy to kinetic energy

• Sound energy to potential energy

Analyze the forces acting on a rollercoaster car at the bottom of a loop. Which force is primarily responsible for keeping the car on the track?

• Gravitational force

• Centripetal force

• Frictional force

• Normal force

Explain why a rollercoaster car speeds up as it goes down a hill.

• Because potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.

• Because kinetic energy is converted to potential energy.

• Because thermal energy is converted to kinetic energy.

• Because sound energy is converted to kinetic energy.

A rollercoaster car moving at 20 m/s at the bottom of a hill has a mass of 300 kg. Calculate its kinetic energy.

• 60,000 J

• 120,000 J

• 30,000 J

• 90,000 J

Evaluate the design of a rollercoaster where the potential energy at the highest point is equal to the kinetic energy at the lowest point. What does this imply about energy losses?

• There are significant energy losses.

• There are no energy losses.

• Energy is gained.

• Energy is converted to sound.

Evaluate the safety of a rollercoaster design where the centripetal force at the top of a loop is less than the gravitational force. What is the likely outcome?

• The car will safely navigate the loop.

• The car will fall off the track.

• The car will speed up.

• The car will slow down.

If a rollercoaster car has a mass of 500 kg and is at a height of 50 meters, what is its potential energy? (Use $g = 9.8 \, m/s^2$)

• 24,500 J

• 245,000 J

• 2,450 J

• 49,000 J