Kinetic energy describes the energy of a moving object, this energy is released when potential energy is changed, from a non- moving state to this state a moving one, one of kinetic energy. This force can be described by the equation KE= .5 M V2 meaning mass time velocity squared this equation gives you the amount of kinetic energy an object has. By doubling the velocity you can see that the resulting KE is multiplied by four.
Relation to video games
Roller coaster Tycoon is a good example for this aspect of kinetic energy. In the game you have to give the roller coaster enough potential energy from the first big hill to give the Coaster enough kinetic energy to complete an entire lap around the track. This movement has to offset the energy lost to friction and heat, the mass of the car as to work together with velocity to create enough KE to keep moving all the way around the track and all the tricks the coaster preforms.
Study Questions:
1. If the roller coaster takes 100 KE to make a lap and a singular cart weighs 50 kg how fast does the cart have to be going to make it around the kiddie coaster?
(2 m/s)
2. What can be done to the roller coaster to increase the kinetic energy?
(increase mass or velocity)
(2 m/s)
2. What can be done to the roller coaster to increase the kinetic energy?
(increase mass or velocity)