Transfer between KE and GPE

• 
  

  What are the key concepts you need to understand?

  1. As an object rises, KE is converted to GPE
  2. As an object falls, GPE is converted to KE 
  3. KE lost = GPE gained and KE gained =GPE lost
• How is the energy transferred between the kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy stores?

  1. At point A, the GPE of the car is at it's highest value and the KE is zero. 
  2. As the car descends towards point B, the GPE store decreases as energy is transferred mechanically to the KE store of the car. 
  3. The GPE lost is equal to the KE gained. 

  
• How is some of the energy lost?

  A small amount of energy will be lost due to:

  • Friction between the car and the track.
  • Air resistance acting on the car.

  
• Calculate the car's GPE at point A.

  The mass of the roller coaster car is 450 kg, and the car is stationary at point A. 

  GPE =441450J

  
• Calculate the KE of the rollercoaster car at point B.

  KE =