Roller coasters are designed to run on two basic scientific principles: 1) gravity and 2) the transfer of energy. On Earth, gravity is the force that pulls objects toward the ground. The transfer of energy is what causes objects at rest to move and objects in motion to slow or stop. Roller coasters move along a track as energy changes form and is transferred into and out of the cars.
In this video, you will meet Chris Gray, a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineers use their knowledge of science to design, make, and maintain all kinds of machines. Watch the video to see what Chris says about the changes in energy that create the excitement in riding a roller coaster. Click on the right to watch the video.
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Roller Coaster Design
After watching the video, write one to two sentences explaining what causes a roller coaster to move.