A roller coaster shows potential and kinetic energy because as the roller coaster goes down a hill and it is moving, it shows kinetic energy. (Kinetic energy-The energy of Motion) As the roller coaster is at the top of a hill and is not moving down yet, it shows potential energy. This is because the roller coaster is not moving yet, but is about to exert energy. (Potential Energy-The energy that is stored in an object that is not moving.)