3) Energy in Motion – Kinetic vs Potential (Marble Roller Coaster) 🎢

🏎 Energy in Motion – Marble Roller Coaster STEM Project 🏖

In this dynamic project, you will design and build a marble roller coaster to explore the fundamental principles of energy conservation. You will demonstrate the continuous conversion between Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) and Kinetic Energy (KE) and analyze how friction affects motion.

The project is divided into two main phases: Quarter 1 for Design & Trifold Preparation and Quarter 2 for Building & Testing your model.

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💡 Phase 1: Concept & Design & Trifold Preparation (Quarter 1)

This critical phase involves defining the entire experiment, documenting the design plan, and preparing all non-data sections of your trifold display. You must prepare sections 1 through 5 below for your Quarter 1 deadline.

1. Hypothesis and Research Question

How does the starting height of the marble affect its ability to complete loops or reach a maximum velocity?

• Research Question: “How does the initial height (GPE) of the first hill affect the final speed of the marble?”
• Hypothesis: If we increase the height of the first hill, then the marble's final kinetic energy (and thus its speed) will increase because a greater amount of gravitational potential energy is available for conversion, overcoming energy loss due to friction.

2. Materials and Variables

List all items needed for the build and identify the elements that will be controlled or measured.

Materials You'll Need

• Marble or small ball (the moving object)
• Flexible track material (foam pipe insulation, plastic tubing, or cardboard strips)
• Tape (duct or masking) and scissors
• Support materials (e.g., books, boxes, vertical rods, cardboard base)
• Measuring tools (ruler or meter stick, stopwatch)
• Optional: phone or camera to record videos of your trials

Variables

• Independent Variable: Initial height of the first hill (GPE)
• Dependent Variable: Final speed of the marble (calculated from distance and time)
• Constants: Marble mass, track material, track length, number of loops/turns, surface where the track is mounted.

3. Procedures (Design & Documentation – Quarter 1)

Your Quarter 1 procedure focuses on the trifold content and planning. The actual building steps are performed in Quarter 2 (see Phase 2 below).

1. Write your project title clearly: “Energy in Motion – Marble Roller Coaster”.
2. State your research question and hypothesis on the trifold.
3. Draw a labeled diagram of your roller coaster design:
   • Show the first hill (H1) as the highest point.
   • Include at least one loop or second hill (H2 / H3).
   • Label points of maximum GPE (highest points) and maximum KE (just before/after the loop or at the bottom of hills).
4. Write a short paragraph explaining the concept of Conservation of Energy and how friction transforms mechanical energy into heat.
5. Plan a simple data table for Quarter 2, with columns such as:
   • Starting Height (cm)
   • Trial 1 Time (s)
   • Trial 2 Time (s)
   • Trial 3 Time (s)
   • Average Time (s)
   • Calculated Speed (m/s)

4. Expected Results

Based on your research and knowledge of physics, what do you expect to happen?

The marble should always be able to reach a lower height on subsequent hills or loops than its starting height. Increasing the starting height will increase the marble's momentum, making it more likely to complete difficult sections like a vertical loop (where it needs enough KE to overcome gravity at the top).

5. Expected Conclusion (Pre-analysis)

How will your results theoretically support your hypothesis?

The experiment should support the hypothesis, confirming that increasing the GPE at the start results in higher KE later in the course. The maximum speed and height reached will always be less than the theoretical maximum due to energy dissipation caused by friction and air resistance (which converts mechanical energy into thermal energy).

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🛠 Phase 2: Working Model (Quarter 2)

In this phase, you will build, test, and collect data using the plan you designed in Quarter 1.

Construction and Testing Procedures

1. Prepare the track:
   • If using foam pipe insulation, ask an adult to help you cut it lengthwise to create U-shaped channels.
   • Tape 2–3 pieces end-to-end to make a long, smooth track. Make sure the joints are neat so the marble does not get stuck.
2. Set up a stable base:
   • Choose a large piece of cardboard, a table, or a clear section of floor near a wall.
   • Use books, boxes, or stands as supports. The first support should be the highest point of the coaster.
3. Build the first hill (H1):
   • Tape one end of the track to the highest support so that the marble starts there.
   • Let the track slope down smoothly. Avoid sharp bends and sudden drops that could launch the marble out of the track.
4. Add features (loop / second hills / turns):
   • Curl a lower part of the track into a loop or a second hill (H2).
   • Tape the loop firmly to the base or floor on both sides so it does not wobble.
   • Make sure tape inside the track is pressed flat so it does not slow or block the marble.
5. Mark measurement heights:
   • Use a ruler or meter stick to measure the vertical height from the base to the starting point of the marble.
   • Choose at least three starting positions along the first hill (H1, H2, H3). Mark them clearly with tape or sticky notes (for example, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm).
6. Check the track for safety and smoothness:
   • Do a few gentle test runs from the lowest height to see if the marble stays in the track.
   • Add extra tape to any weak or wobbly sections until the marble can complete the course without flying off.
7. Measure the travel distance:
   • Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the length of the final straight section of the track (or the total distance from release point to the end).
   • Record this distance; you will need it to calculate speed.
8. Collect time data for each starting height:
   1. Place the marble at the first marked height (e.g., H1).
   2. Release it without pushing—just let gravity do the work.
   3. Use a stopwatch to measure the time from release to the end of the track.
   4. Repeat at least 3 trials for each height and record all times in your data table.
   5. Repeat the same process for heights H2 and H3.
9. Calculate the marble’s speed:
   • For each trial, use the formula speed = distance ÷ time.
   • Find the average time and average speed for each starting height.
10. Analyze your results:
    • Create a graph of Average Speed vs. Starting Height.
    • Describe the pattern: Does a higher starting height give the marble more speed and help it complete the loop or higher hills?
    • Relate your findings back to GPE → KE and energy loss due to friction.
11. Document your work:
    • Take clear photos of your roller coaster from different angles.
    • Attach selected photos, your data table, and your graph to the trifold board in the correct sections.

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📜 Trifold Display Board Instructions

Your final project will be presented on a standard trifold display board (approx. 37 inches high and 48 inches wide when fully open).

Board Size & Suggested Layout

Organize your board to be easy to read from left to right and top to bottom.

Panel	Suggested Content
Top Center	Project Title (Big and Bold)
Left Panel	Question / Problem, Background / Introduction, Hypothesis
Center Panel	Materials, Procedures (steps), Photos / Diagrams, Graphs / Tables (your data)
Right Panel	Results (what happened), Conclusion, Reflection / What you learned

Design Tips for a Professional Look

• Title: Use a short, clear title that can be read from across the room.
• Clarity: Print all text on white or light-colored paper.
• Font Size Guidelines:
  • Title: 72 pt or bigger
  • Headings: 32–48 pt
  • Body text: 18–24 pt
• Aesthetics: Keep it neat—align boxes, use rulers, and avoid crowded text. Use 2–3 matching colors for borders and headings.
• Visuals: Add photos, labeled diagrams, and charts (your data) to make the board engaging.

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🎬 Helpful Videos

How to Build a Marble Roller Coaster (STEM Project)

Watch this video to see how to cut the foam track, build hills and loops, and safely test your marble roller coaster.

Trifold Design Tutorial

Tip: Plan your layout on scrap paper first, then print, cut, and finally glue everything onto the board.