Roller coaster, energy

The potential energy is the maximum at the highest point of the roller coaster. 

Now, noradrenaline acts m many of the same ways as adrenaline, the hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, also in response to emergencies. Experiences that cause the adrenals to secrete adrenaline into the bloodstream produce feelings very much like those of stimulant drugs. The rush of excitement one gets on a roller coaster ride, for example, may feel a lot like the effect of a dose of amphetamine, and no doubt both these techniques are popular for the same reason — because they give people a sense of increased mental and physical energy, and make them feel, temporarily at least, more alive. 

Each time the roller coaster zooms up and down the track, its energy changes back and forth between kinetic energy of motion and potential energy of position. 

Real-World Reading Link Have you ever watched a roller coaster zoom up and down a track, or experienced the thrill of a coaster ride Each time a coaster climbs a steep grade or plunges down the other side, its energy changes from one form to another. 

Figure 20.4 The roller coaster at the top of the track has high potential energy relative to track below because of the difference in height. Similarly, an electrochemical cell has potential energy to produce a current because there is a difference in the ability of the electrodes to move electrons from the anode to the cathode. 

In principle, a system may also accumulate kinetic, potential, or any other type of energy. Accumulation of kinetic or potential energy means that the velocity or the vertical elevation of the system changes, as in a roller coaster, or in a rocket. These modes of energy accumulation are not relevant to stationary processes such as those considered here. This leaves internal energy as the only accumulation term. 

Amusement rides, such as Ferris wheels and roller coasters, all use simple machines and mechanisms to change energy into motion. This motion provides excitement... 

FIGURE 9-12 Roller coasters have mechanical energy. 

Most of the energy we encounter can be placed into two broad categories potential energy and kinetic energy. Potential energy is associated with the relative position of an object. For example, a roller coaster gains potential energy as it is... 

Discuss the changes in the potential and kinetic energy of a roller-coaster ride as the roller coaster chmbs to the top and goes down the other side. 

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