# A roller coaster car starts from rest at the top of a tall hill and rolls down to the bottom. The car then travels along a flat section of track before coming to a stop. Explain the energy transfers that take place from the moment the car begins to move until it comes to a stop on the flat section. In your answer, refer to useful energy transfers, waste energy transfers, and the conservation of energy.

> Eduqas A-Level Physics — 1.3 Energy concepts · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Gravitational potential energy decreases as the car descends the hill
2. Gravitational potential energy is transferred to kinetic energy (useful energy transfer)
3. Some energy is dissipated as thermal energy (heat) due to friction / air resistance during the descent and on the flat (waste energy transfer)
4. On the flat section, kinetic energy is transferred to thermal energy (and sound) due to friction / air resistance, causing the car to slow down and stop
5. The total energy is conserved throughout — energy is not created or destroyed, only transferred or dissipated

## Key terms

- [useful energy transfer](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/useful-energy-transfer)
- [waste energy transfer](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/waste-energy-transfer)
- [conservation of energy](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/conservation-of-energy)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-roller-coaster-car-starts-from-9f8925e0) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.