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= How Does a Roller Coaster Roll? = ==The image above displays how **// __momentum__, acceleration , and energy // function on a roller coaster. ** ==

__Momentum__
Roller coasters do not run on engines. So how do they get around those giant loops? Momentum. The steep drop at the beginning of most roller coasters is not only exhilarating, but also extremely necessary. Roller coasters must attain enough speed in order to gain the momentum to propel them forward around the loops and over the hills. If they didn't, the roller coaster cart would simply come to a stop and roll backwards.

**__Acceleration__**
Most roller coasters have the huge drop in the very beginning of the ride. Once the roller coaster starts to peak over the top over the hill, it begins to accelerate. An acceleration shows a change in speed; as the roller coaster cart continues down the drop, its speed increases at a certain rate. This acceleration allows the rollercoaster to gain the momentum it needs to carry the cart along the ride successfully.



__**Energy**__
A roller coaster depends on the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy in order to run. Potential energy is the energy in which the roller coaster gets simply from its mass and how gravity acts upon it. Kinetic energy is obtained when the roller coaster gains speed. This energy brings the ideas of momentum and acceleration together.

And that is how a roller coaster rolls!
//References:// //http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster.html// //http://www.thehumorwriter.com/Kids_Corner_--_Original_Storie/Roller_Coasters/roller_coasters.html//