Slide down and watch the physics! As the rider descends, potential energy converts to kinetic energy. Change the slide height and surface friction to see how these factors affect speed at the bottom.
Conservation of mechanical energy: at the top the rider has maximum potential energy (mgh) and zero kinetic energy. At the bottom, all energy converts to kinetic energy (½mv²). Friction bleeds some to heat, reducing final speed.
Adjust slide height and surface friction. Press go and watch the energy meter shift from potential (blue) to kinetic (yellow) to heat (red). Can you reach maximum speed at the bottom?
This same energy conversion governs hydroelectric dams (water's potential energy → electricity), ski jumps, and even the Big Bang — where the universe's gravitational potential energy converted to the kinetic energy of expansion.