50 points!! Assignment Summary
For this assignment, you will develop a model that shows a roller coaster cart in four different positions on
a track. You will then use this model to discuss the changes in potential, kinetic, and thermal energy of
the cart as it moves along the track.
Background Information
The two most common forms of energy are potential energy and kinetic energy. Potential energy is the
stored energy an object has due to its position. When related to the height of an object in a gravitational
field, potential energy is known as gravitational potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object
has due to its motion. A third form of energy, thermal energy, is an internal energy due to the motion of
the particles in an object. Thermal energy can be a result of friction generated while an object is in
motion. In most situations, thermal energy cannot be transformed to kinetic or potential energy. While an
object’s potential, kinetic, and thermal energies will vary, the total amount of energy stays the same.
Energy transformations can be represented by pie charts. The total energy in the system is represented
by the size of the pie. If energy flows into or out of the system, the size of the pie is increased or
decreased to represent the change in energy within the system. Pies are divided according to the forms
of energy present in the system. Energy transformations are represented by changing the size of the
division or the number of the divisions as time progresses.
Materials
 One poster board per student
 Drawing utensils
Assignment Instructions
Step 1: Prepare for the project.
a) Read the entire Student Guide before you begin this project.
b) If anything is unclear, be sure to ask your teacher for assistance before you begin.
c) Gather the materials you will need to complete this project.
Step 2: Create your poster.
a) On the poster board, draw a roller coaster track that starts with one large hill, followed by a
valley, and then another, smaller hill.
b) Draw a cart in four different positions on the track, as outlined below.
i. First, draw the cart at the top of the first hill. Label it A.
ii. Second, draw the cart going down the first hill, into the valley. Label it B.
iii. Third, draw the cart at the bottom of the valley. Label it C.
iv. Last, draw the cart at the top of the second, smaller hill. Label it D.
Student Guide (continued)
c) Draw an energy pie chart above each of the cart’s four positions.
i. Choose your reference point for determining height.
ii. Create a pie chart that accurately represents the ratio of the three forms of energy
and label the sections of the pie Eg for gravitational potential energy, Ek for kinetic
energy, and Eth for thermal energy.
iii. Make sure your name is on the poster.
Step 3: Type one to two paragraphs that describe the potential energy, kinetic energy, and
thermal energy of the cart.
a) Type one to two paragraphs describing the changes in potential, kinetic, and thermal energy
of the cart at each of the four positions along the track. Be sure to define your system. Also
include the positions of the cart where each form of energy is at its maximum and minimum
values.
b) Make sure your name is on the document.
c) Later, you will submit this document through the virtual classroom.
Step 4: Evaluate your project using this checklist.
If you can check each criterion below, you are ready to submit your project.
 Did you draw a model of a roller coaster track with one large hill, followed by a valley, and
then another, smaller hill?
 Did you draw a cart on the track in the four required positions A–D? Did you label the cart at
each of the four positions?
 Did you draw an energy pie chart for each cart position and label the energies in the chart?
 Did you type one to two paragraphs describing the changes in potential, kinetic, and thermal
energy of the cart at each of the four positions on the roller coaster track? Did you define your
system and include the positions of the cart where each form of energy is at its maximum and
minimum values?
Step 5: Revise and submit your project.
a) If you were unable to check off all of the requirements on the checklist, go back and make
sure that your project is complete.
b) When you have completed your project, submit your poster to your teacher for grading. Be
sure that your name is on it.
c) Submit the typewritten document through the virtual classroom. Be sure that your name is on
it.
Step 6: Clean up your work space.
a) Clean up your work space. Return any reusable materials to your teacher and throw away any
trash.
b) Congratulations! You have completed your project