Question

Explain why the roller coaster’s potential energy is greater at point 1 than at point 4.

Answer 1

Potential energy is directly related to the height of an object. Point 1 is higher than point 4, so the potential energy is greater at point 1.

Answer 2

The most probable answer would be Point 1 is higher than Point 4.

Potential gravitational energy is computed by the formula:

PEgrav =mgh

m = mass

g = acceleration due to gravity (this is a constant value of 9.8m/s²)

h = height

The roller coaster of course, no matter where in the track it is would have the same mass (Unless someone falls off -_-) Pull of gravity is the same as well.

So the only factor that would affect it is the height. So if the height goes up, the potential energy goes up too. If the height goes down, then the potential energy goes down too.

Hopefully you'll come up with the right answer with this. v(0-0)v