Question

Refer to the following roller coaster ride, which starts from rest at point A What is the point of the largest potential energy A) A B) B C) C D) D E) What is the point of the largest kinetic energy A) A B) B C) C D) D E) E At which point the potential and kinetic energy would have about the same value A) A B) B C) C D) D

Answer 1

9. Potential energy is the energy of the body due to the virtue of its position. The higher the particle, larger is the potential energy. The roller coaster's highest point is A and hence A is the point of largest potential energy.

10. As bodies lose potential energy, they gain kinetic energy. The lower the point from the initial point, higher will be the gain in kinetic energy. In the roller coaster, D is the lowest compared to all the other points. Hence the largest kinetic energy will be at D.

11. The potential energy and kinetic energy would be approximately the same value at point C as only half of the potential energy would be converted to kinetic energy at that point.

Note: The reference for the potential energy is taken as the lowest point in the diagram.

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