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Coaster Dynamics
Coaster Lab
Lesson #6: Conservation of Energy: It's a Game of Give and Take
TOPICS: Conservation of Energy.
1. Starting with the default track configuration in
Coaster Dynamics, set the height of the first 2 elements to:
Spiral Hill = 40 m
Round Loop = 35 m.Turn the track friction option OFF (found under the "Coaster Lab" => "Track Parameters" submenu), and the "Design Constraints" and "Design Hints" options OFF (found under the "Options" menu).
2. Run the roller coaster ride and stop it after the car passes the Round Loop. Use the
Coaster Lab feature to determine the y coordinate and the speed (magnitude of the velocity) at Watchpoints 2-10 in the Round Loop. Calculate the total energy (kinetic + potential) at each of the 9 Watchpoints.
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |v| y E
3. Change the Round Loop of Module 2 to a Corkscrew Loop, and set the height of the first 2 elements to:
Run the roller coaster ride again and stop it after the car passes the Corkscrew Loop. Use the Coaster Lab feature to determine the y coordinate and the speed (magnitude of the velocity) at Watchpoints 2-10 in the Corkscrew Loop. Calculate the total energy (kinetic + potential) at each of the 9 Watchpoints.
Spiral Hill = 40 m
Corkscrew Loop = 35 m.
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |v| y E
4. Compare the energy values for the Corkscrew and Round Loop. Is energy conserved?
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