GPE to KE - Calculating the speed of a roller coaster
<p>This resource allows students to calculate the speed of a roller coaster when it reaches the bottom of the track<br />
Students work out the GPE and assume all energy is conserved into KE (as most common exam question ask them to do), they then use the kinetic energy equation to work out the V<br />
<em><strong>Instructions for students</strong></em></p>
<ol>
<li>Work out the GPE of the car using the units on the work sheet (GPE = mxgxh)</li>
<li>Assume that all this GPE is transferred to KE - Write this in the KE box</li>
<li>Rearrange the KE equation to find the speed of the roller coaster</li>
<li>V=2xKE Divided by the mass, once you have this answer square root it for the answer in m/s</li>
</ol>