Physics of Roller Coasters
Students explore the physics exploited by engineers in designing today's roller coasters, including potential and kinetic energy, friction and gravity. First, they learn that all true roller coasters are completely driven by the force of gravity and that the conversion between potential and kinetic energy is essential to all roller coasters. Second, they consider the role of friction in slowing down cars in roller coasters. Finally, they examine the acceleration of roller coaster cars as they travel around the track. During the associated activity, students design, build and analyze model roller coasters they make using foam tubing and marbles (as the cars).
As the cars drop, potential energy provided by the chain lift on the left is converted to kinetic energy.Copyright Stock.XCHNG (free stock photo) http://www.SXC.hu
Students explore the most basic physical principles of roller coasters, which are crucial to the initial design process for engineers who create roller coasters. They learn about the possibilities and limitations of roller coasters within the context of energy conservation, frictional losses and other physical principles. After the lesson, students should be able to analyze the motion of any existing gravity-driven coaster and design the basics of their own model roller coasters.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain why it is important for engineers to know how roller coasters work.
- Explain in physics terms how a roller coaster works.
- Discuss the effects of gravity and friction in the context of their roller coaster designs.
- Use the principle of conservation of energy to explain the layout of roller coasters.
- Identify points in a roller coaster track at which a car has maximum kinetic energy and maximum potential energy.
- Identify points in a roller coaster track where a car experiences more or less than 1 g-force.
- Identify points in a roller coaster track where a car accelerates and decelerates.