Roller Coaster Physics
Try your hand at calculating velocity and acceleration for a roller coaster:
measuring_acceleration.docx | |
File Size: | 63 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Just for Fun...
You know 'em, you love 'em... ROLLER COASTERS!!!
But did you ever really stop and think about the science (and math) involved in designing one?
Check out these roller coasters:
SkyScraper at SkyPlex Orlando
Or, wouldn't this be a fun way to get around??
So, how do roller coaster designers do what they do?
Look at the websites below, and answer the questions for each section in complete sentences and ON YOUR OWN PAPER!!
A) Here's a good place to start: Click here, check out the information on the page, and then click on "Design a Roller Coaster".
(BTW - as you're working through the pieces, your best choice isn't always the default choice...)
After you build your coaster, how did you do? If you failed the safety and fun ratings, go back and rebuild. When you're done trying to rebuild, check out "your safety inspection" to figure out what your best choices are, and the answers to these questions:
B) Now that you've learned a little bit about the basics, try this site: (It does take a minute or two to load - scroll down about halfway and be patient!) You can adjust the height of the first and final hill, and the size of the loop in the middle. You can even adjust your speed and mass, and then the gravity and friction!
C) And now, just for fun, try this website!
But did you ever really stop and think about the science (and math) involved in designing one?
Check out these roller coasters:
SkyScraper at SkyPlex Orlando
Or, wouldn't this be a fun way to get around??
So, how do roller coaster designers do what they do?
Look at the websites below, and answer the questions for each section in complete sentences and ON YOUR OWN PAPER!!
A) Here's a good place to start: Click here, check out the information on the page, and then click on "Design a Roller Coaster".
(BTW - as you're working through the pieces, your best choice isn't always the default choice...)
After you build your coaster, how did you do? If you failed the safety and fun ratings, go back and rebuild. When you're done trying to rebuild, check out "your safety inspection" to figure out what your best choices are, and the answers to these questions:
- What's the best choice for the first hill height? Why?
- What's the best shape for the first hill? Why?
- What's the best exit path choice? Why?
- What shape loop do you need to use? Why?
B) Now that you've learned a little bit about the basics, try this site: (It does take a minute or two to load - scroll down about halfway and be patient!) You can adjust the height of the first and final hill, and the size of the loop in the middle. You can even adjust your speed and mass, and then the gravity and friction!
- If you put the speed as fast as it can go - what happens to your roller coaster?
- If you don't have enough speed, what happens to the roller coaster?
- Without gravity, what happens?
- What does increasing the size of the loop do?
C) And now, just for fun, try this website!