Pupil Worksheet
Energy in Motion
Pupil Name _____________________________________________________
Space Tower
Discover the power of your own energy! Try the activities
below:
1.What happened when you did not use your energy?
2.When you pulled the cable, what happened?
3.Where is the potential energy stored at the beginning
of the ride?
4.Where is the potential energy stored when you are at
the top?
The Dragon
The Dragon roller coaster makes the most of the
available potential and kinetic energy, and it tries not to
overuse its mechanical elements.
Find out how this is done by riding The Dragon and
discuss the questions when you are back at school.
1.Potential energy is the energy stored up and ready to be used.
Where does The
Dragon have the most potential energy,
at the lowest or highest point on the
track?
2.How does The Dragon gain more and
more potential energy?
3.How does the height of the track affect the
amount of potential energy that is stored?
4.How is potential energy changed to kinetic energy?
5.How does the dip at the end of the ride help The Dragon
lose
energy? How does this help the brakes?
Teacher hints, cover this part of the worksheet before photocopying.
You remain still (nothing). Space Tower is ratio-geared and electrically driven. Your own energy must be used to raise the car. Potential energy is stored in
your muscles at the bottom of the ride and in the car itself at the top.
The Dragon has the most potential energy at the highest point. It climbs to the highest point on the track. The higher the track, the more potential energy
is available. Potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy as gravity pulls The Dragon down the hill. Climbing the dip at the end takes more power, so
The Dragon slows down. Then the brakes do not have to work as hard, and do not wear out as quickly.
