Marble Run Explanation

Marble Run Explanation 

At the top of the marble run, on the platform where the start is, it is potential energy acting upon the marble. This is because the marble has the potential to start moving, but the energy is stored until we let it go.

When we let the marble go down the first s-bend, it is the result of kinetic energy, because the marble is in motion. At the end of the first s-bend is a loop, and when passing through this, the marble accelerates - this is acceleration acting upon the marble.

During the windy bends,  there is friction acting upon the marble, The plastic doors help to slow the marble down, creating friction between the two objects. 

At the end of the windy bends, is a bowl, followed by a tunnel. The marble falling down the tunnel is an act of gravity, because the marble is being pulled down towards the ground. 

After the tunnel is another s-bend. During this time, kinetic energy is working upon the marble, which is in motion. 

Another bowl is at the end of this s-bend, and gravity acts upon the marble once again. 

The marble rolls down another s-bend, and through a gear mill. The gear mill works to slow the marble down, creating friction between the marble and itself. 

The marble stops, at the end platform. The marble cannot move from here, unless it is impacted by another force, such as wind, or a hand picking it up. These are balanced forces working upon the marble.

That is an explanation of the forces acting upon the marble during the marble run. 

My annotated diagram of the marble run. Here you can see the forces acting upon the marble during it's run labelled, and also how our marble run looked like.

Summary: 

The most common force working upon the marble during the marble run was kinetic energy.

The least common force (s) working upon the marble during the marble run were balanced forces, potential energy, and acceleration.