Question

What is the mechanical energy associated with rollercoasters?

Answer 1

A moving car possesses mechanical energy due to its motion (kinetic energy). A moving baseball possessesmechanical energy due to both its high speed (kinetic energy) and its vertical position above the ground (gravitational potential energy).

Answer 2

Explanation:

The amount of kinetic energy and the amount of potential energy is constantly changing. Yet the sum of the kinetic and potential energies is everywhere the same. This is illustrated in the diagram below. The total mechanical energy of the roller coaster car is a constant value of 40 000 Joules.