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Lesson Plan

Potential and Kinetic Energy: The Roller Coaster Lab

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Potential and Kinetic Energy: The Roller Coaster Lab lesson plan also includes:

Ron Toomer, a famous roller coaster designer, suffered from motion sickness. Pupils design their own roller coasters, learning about potential and kinetic energy in the process. Labs focus on the importance of drop height, energy dissipation, and creating loops.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Concepts
potential energy, kinetic energy, frictional force, centripetal force, normal force, newton's laws of motion, conservation of momentum, the law of conservation of energy, energy, thermal energy, friction
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Additional Tags
science
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Instructional Ideas
  • If time allows, combine groups to create one massive rollercoaster
Classroom Considerations
  • For the most effective track, tape the insulation in as many places as possible
  • Requires a large amount of space, including plenty of wall space to complete the labs
Pros
  • Offers a basic lesson as well as an advanced version that includes frictional force, centripetal force, and normal force
  • Includes higher-level analysis questions
Cons
  • None