PASCO ME-9812 Roller Coaster - Manual (Page 15)

Roller Coaster Model No. ME-9812
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5. Conservation of Energy (Hills)
If the car is released from rest from the top of the lowest left step (the
second peg from the bottom is the first step; see Configuration 5), the
car will make it over the hill without flying off the hill. If the car is
released from higher up on the right side, the car will fly off the hill.
The speed of the car at the top of the hill can be measured with a
photogate; the kinetic energy can be calculated and compared to the
predicted value given by conservation of energy. The normal force at
the top of the hill can also be calculated.
6. Conservation of Energy (Step)
Compare the potential energy at the top of the step to the kinetic
energy at the bottom of the step (Use the setup in Configuration 6).
Configuration 5: Conservation of Energy (Hill)
Configuration 6: Conservation of Energy (Steps)