Key Terms Defined
- Kinetic energy
- Energy from motion
- Potential energy
- Stored energy that transforms into kinetic energy.
A roller coaster demonstrates kinetic energy and potential energy. A marble at the top of the track has potential energy. When the marble rolls down the track, the potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy. Real roller coasters use a motor to pull cars up a hill at the beginning of the ride. Cars that are stopped at the top of the hill have potential energy. As the car rolls down the hill, the potential energy becomes kinetic energy.
Learn more about roller coasters
http://science.howstuffworks.com/roller-coaster.htm
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster
- Museum Hours
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- Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Museum Location
- Getting Here
More Activities
- Online Activity
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Make a Comeback Can
Surprise your friends by making a can that rolls back to you when you tell it to!
- Online Activity
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Make an Egg Bungee
Make a bungee cord of rubber bands and drop an egg close to the ground.
- Online Activity
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Drop Eggs Into Cups
Learn about types of energy in this puzzling and fun experiment.
More Exhibits
- Exhibit
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Science Storms
Feel the physics and consider the chemistry of natural phenomena like tornados and avalanches.
- Exhibit
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Swiss Jolly Ball
See the world’s largest pinball machine right before your eyes.
- Exhibit
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The Great Train Story
Witness 20-plus trains run on 1,400 feet of winding track from Seattle to Chicago.