Login:
About Conservation of Energy: Improve the Labster Roller CoasterVirtual Lab Simulation
What does it take to make a roller coaster go 100 km/h? In this simulation, you will learn how manipulating the mass, height, and velocity of a roller coaster affect its overall potential energy and kinetic energy. You will apply the concept of conservation of energy to calculate the mechanical energy of the roller coaster at different positions.
Design a new roller coaster
First, familiarize yourself with the components of the equations for potential and kinetic energy. Next, experiment using different masses of vehicles at different starting positions to discover the effect of mass and height on potential energy, velocity and kinetic energy. Finally, understand how energy transformation can be applied to the calculation of mechanical energy and use this information to design the fastest, most exciting roller coaster.
Calculate potential, kinetic and mechanical energy
Students will become comfortable with the components of the formulae for potential and kinetic energy and how these components are related to joules. By measuring energy in joules and converting from one type to another, students will discover how energy remains constant in an isolated system. Students will have the freedom to experiment with different masses of vehicles at each height to determine which combination fits their initial potential energy desire. Pulling the lever releases the rollercoaster and tracks the velocity, which can then be used to calculate the kinetic and mechanical energy.
Make the ride go 100 km/h
Choose the best vehicle and starting position then change the track by adding loops, dips and even an electric motor. Can you reach 100 km/h?
Get Started Now
Techniques In Lab
- Manipulate formulae for potential, kinetic and mechanical energy
Learning Objectives
At the end of this simulation, you will be able to…
- Define the mechanical energy of an isolated system
- Introduction to the conservation of mechanical energy of an object
- Apply conservation of energy to describe the movement of an object
- Define the mechanical energy of an object
- Use the equations for kinetic and potential energy related to velocity and displacement
- Understand the concept of an isolated system
- Separate conservative and non-conservative forces
- Identify sources of energy and energy transformation
- Introduction to non-isolated systems
Screenshots of Conservation of Energy: Improve the Labster Roller CoasterVirtual Lab Simulation
How it works
A million dollar lab in your browser
Perform experiments in virtual lab simulations to achieve core science learning outcomes.
All our simulations run on laptop and desktop computers, and you can play our simulations without having to install any browser plugins.
Hundreds of hours of science learning content
Our virtual laboratory simulations are aimed at university, college and high school level, within fields such as biology, biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology, chemistry, physics and more.
With access to our simulations, you will have hundreds of hours of engaging, high-quality learning content available to you.
