🎢 Energy on the Funfair Train

The funfair train is an energy transfer machine! Let’s see where the energy goes as the train runs along the track.

The train is at the top of the highest hill, at point A. Because it is high up, its gravitational potential energy (PE) is greatest. It is not moving, so its kinetic energy (KE) is zero.

As the train goes down, its height gets smaller and potential energy is transferred to kinetic energy. The train speeds up!

At the lowest point, B, potential energy is smallest. Kinetic energy and speed are greatest.

As the train climbs, it slows down, because its kinetic energy is transferred back to potential energy.

If there is no friction, the total of potential and kinetic energy never changes. This is called the conservation of energy.

In real life there is friction and air resistance. Some of the energy is transferred to heat. That is why the train cannot climb a hill as high as the one it started from. Energy is never lost, it just changes into another kind.

Summary: height means potential energy and speed means kinetic energy. Going down, potential energy becomes kinetic energy. Going up, kinetic energy becomes potential energy. Friction turns some of the energy into heat. Now try it in Energy Train!