The greatest amount of potential energy on a rollercoaster is found at the highest point of the ride. This is due to the fact that potential energy is determined by an object's height relative to a reference point, usually the ground.
At the top of the rollercoaster, the cars have the maximum height, and since potential energy is calculated using the formula:
\[ PE = mgh \]
where \(PE\) is potential energy, \(m\) is mass, \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity, and \(h\) is height, both the height \(h\) and the mass \(m\) contribute to an increase in potential energy at that point.
As the rollercoaster descends from this peak, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, resulting in the rollercoaster moving faster as it goes down. Thus, the highest point is critical for the overall energy transformation throughout the ride.
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