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Activity 1

Energy Equation

While there’s a ton of math involved in roller coasters — it’s nearly 100-percent math from start to finish — one of the hardest things to understand is how they work. Engineer Walt Davis illustrates an equation for roller coaster energy and energy loss. To see how it works, and hear him describe it, just click on the button or the words. Here is Mr. Davis' equation and an explanation of the formula; also see the animation.

P.E. + K.E. = T.E.

P.E. = Potential Energy
K.E. = Kinetic Energy
T.E. = Total Energy

The Coaster looses energy to friction. There are three types of friction:
wind, rolling friction, and braking.

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Quicktime Video         Text of audio available here