But overall, you've got the right idea.

[physicsman2]

Homework Statement

How does a roller coaster demonstrate the law of conservation of energy by the transfer of potential energy to kinetic energy

Homework Equations

KE=PE

The Attempt at a Solution

i believe that as the roller coaster descends down the hill the potential energy changes into kinetic energy where the amount of potential energy at the top of the hill is equal to the kinetic energy just as it hits the bottom

i think this is right but i have a feeling there is more to it than this

 

[LowlyPion]

Sounds right to me.

The key element of a roller-coaster is in its name even Rolling. Coasting. Low frictional loss activities, because of course frictional loss is the enemy of the pure translation of Potential energy to Kinetic motion.