Roller Coaster Form

Questions for The Roller Coaster Project

Each group must submit one copy of this form which should be completed and emailed during class.

Please indicate your period.

Please indicate your group number.

Record your observations to the first activity.
1. What happened to the speed of the marble as the height changed?
2. Where was the speed the highest? The lowest?
3. What is the ratio of the height of the large hill to the height of the small hill?
Record your conclusions for the first activity.
1. Why isn't the ratio of the height of the large hill to that of the small hill 1:1?
2. Relate this ratio to the potential energies of the large hill and of the small hill. What happened to your loss of potential energy? (answer in terms of work)
3. Predict what would happen if the initial height was increased and the small hill height stayed the same. Why does this happen?
4. Predict what would happen if the second hill was higher than the first. Why does this happen?
Record your observations to the second activity.
1. What is the ratio of the height of the hill to the diameter of the loop?
2. Where was the speed of the marble the greatest? The smallest?
Record your conclusions for the second activity.
1. How does your ratio compare to the ratio of the heights found in problem one? Why do you think they are similar?
Summarize the activities.
1. Describe in your own words the energy changes that began with lifting the marble to the top of the large hill through traversing the entire roller coaster.
2. Describe in your own words when work was done and what is was done against.