Physics behind rollercoasters

Generally, when people think of roller coasters, they think of a fun and exciting, vomit producing machine. But what many people don't realize is that there is also a wealth of Physics knowledge behind this functioning machine.
The first part of the roller coast normally involves work and energy. At the beginning of an average roller coaster ride, there will be mechanical forces such as a lift motor or a chain to help the roller coaster up a steep hill with little momentum. From there, gravity will take over.

On the top of the steep hill, the coaster processes a lot of potential energy. This potential energy is created by the mechanical forces which gave coaster the height and the weight of the coaster also contributes to the potential energy.









As the coaster moves down, potential energy turns into kinematic energies. The more the coaster accelerates the bigger values of kinematic energy is being presented and at the same time, the value of potential energy decreases and react inversely. As the ride continues, the train of cars are continuously losing and gaining height. Each gain in height corresponds to the loss of speed as kinetic energy is transformed into potential energy. Each loss in height corresponds to a gain of speed as potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy. AND that's how a roller coaster works.