Roller Coaster Friction

Most recent answer: 12/11/2012

Q:
so we were doing an experiment in physics class on a roller coaster so the we come to a conclusion saying the roller coaster is an open system. so what happened to the energy of the friction?
- ayu (age 17)
Washington
A:
Some of the energy left as sound waves in the air. You can hear it! Some leaves as vibrations in the ground where the roller coaster is supported.  Some leaves as heat directly in the air that the coaster moved through. All of these end up heating up the surroundings a bit.

Mike W.

(published on 12/11/2012)