Energy Transfers and Changes in Different Scenarios

These flashcards cover key concepts related to energy transfers and changes in various scenarios, including bungee jumping, roller coasters, trampolines, and fairground rides.

Energy Transfer in Bungee Jumping

When a bungee jumper descends, the kinetic energy is gradually converted into thermal energy due to the stretching of the rope and heating of surrounding air, resulting in a loss of height upon return.

Energy Changes When Roller Coaster Stops

When brakes are applied, kinetic energy is converted to thermal energy due to friction, causing the coaster to slow down and eventually stop.

Energy Changes When Roller Coaster Goes Uphill

As it goes up and over a second hill, kinetic energy converts back to gravitational potential energy, increasing as the coaster gains height.

Energy Transfers When a Ball Hits a Trampoline

Upon release, gravitational potential energy converts to kinetic energy as it falls, which then converts back to potential energy at the top of the bounce.

Energy Stores of a Ball at Release vs. Top of Bounce

At the point of release, the ball has maximum gravitational potential energy and minimum kinetic energy; at the top of its bounce, it has maximum potential energy and minimal kinetic energy.

Testing Bounce of Trampolines

To determine which trampoline is the bounciest, drop a ball from a fixed height on each trampoline and measure the height of each bounce, comparing results.

Energy Changes in a Catapult Ride

As a capsule is fired upwards by a catapult, elastic potential energy stored in the rubber bands is converted to kinetic energy, increasing as the capsule rises.