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Coaster Dynamics
Coaster Lab
Lesson #5: Work: Hi Ho, Hi Ho
TOPICS: Work and Kinetic & Potential Energy.
1. Starting with the default track configuration in
Coaster Dynamics, turn the track friction option OFF (found under the "Coaster Lab" => "Track Parameters" submenu).2. Run the roller coaster ride and stop it after the car passes the bottom of the lift hill.
Use the
Coaster Lab feature to determine the x and y coordinates and the x and y components of the G force at each of the 11 Watchpoints for the Lift Hill. For each Watchpoint, convert the force to newtons.
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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
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Gx | ![]() |
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Gy | ![]() |
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Fx | ![]() |
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Fy | ![]() |
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3. Draw a graph of Fx vs x and Fy vs y. For the two graphs, calculate the approximate area under each curve (equals the work).
4. Calculate the kinetic and potential energy components, KEx and PEy, at the top and bottom of the lift hill. The change in energy is equal to the work.
Compare the change in kinetic and potential energies, KEx and PEy, to the values of work, Wx and Wy, you calculated from the graphs in Part 3.
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