Does Mass Affect Roller Coaster Speed?

AI Thread Summary
Increasing mass on a roller coaster does not inherently change its speed, as momentum is conserved in a system without net external forces. The relationship between mass and velocity is inversely proportional; if mass increases, velocity decreases, assuming constant energy. The confusion arises from the conservation of energy equation, where kinetic energy increases with mass, but this does not directly affect speed in a closed system. Adjustments to speed can be made through external forces, but the fundamental physics suggests that mass alone does not alter the coaster's speed. Understanding these principles clarifies the dynamics of roller coaster motion.
shimmeringlight
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i know and think that the when the mass inreases, the speed of the coaster does not change... this is according to researching on some sites simulators... it hinkt that's right...

and because the speed esont change, the time doesn't change?

but when i think about it more, I am nto sure because i cannot prove it with the conservation of energy equation... or at least i don't think I am right, because if the i put it into the equation where you have the Ek=1/2mv^2, then when mass gets larger, then the energy will get larger...

i don't know what I am talking about, I am very confused.
 
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i know and think that the when the mass inreases, the speed of the coaster does not change
Unless there is a net force acting on it.
Normally, in a frame without any net force, the momentum of an object is conserved all the time.
momentum=mass times velocity
As you see, if the mass increase, the velocity decreases as they are inversely proportional.
 
http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/

i was looking at this site, and kind of based it on it... because when i move the mass thing it doesn't change the velocity... but i also know that you can adjust the speed.

... but in a roller coaster, if the mass increases or decreases in a roller coaster, isn't it suppose to go the same?
 
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In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
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