Question

"While visiting Six Flags Over Texas, you’re riding the latest rollercoaster. The coaster, full of people with a mass of 1200 kg, travels at a speed of 16 m/s down the first hill. How much kinetic energy (KE) does the coaster have?

Answer 1

The kinetic energy (KE) of a roller coaster with a mass of 1200 kg traveling at a speed of 16 m/s is calculated using the formula KE = (1/2)m·v², which results in 153,600 Joules.

Step-by-step explanation:

Calculating the Kinetic Energy of a Roller Coaster

To calculate the kinetic energy (KE) of a roller coaster traveling down a hill at an amusement park, we use the formula for kinetic energy which is KE = (1/2)m·v², where m is the mass of the object and v is the velocity. Given that the roller coaster and its passengers have a combined mass of 1200 kg and it travels at a velocity of 16 m/s, the kinetic energy can be calculated as follows:

KE = (1/2) × 1200 kg × (16 m/s)²

= 153,600 Joules

Hence, the roller coaster has 153,600 Joules of kinetic energy as it travels down the first hill.