Roller Coaster Physics by

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-07 20:10:16 UTC

Momentum

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-09 02:13:42 UTC

Momentum is an object on the move. If an object is moving, then it has momentum, however if it is at rest it has no momentum. An object's momentum is based on it's size and how much motion it possesses. If an object is large, and it has momentum , it is harder to stop. However, if an object is on the move and it is smaller in size, it will take little effort to stop it. In terms of roller coasters, if a roller coaster has a lot of momentum it can go much faster and be harder to stop since it is large in size, and it also has heavy amounts of stuff inside it. For example, after moving at an exhilarating speed and the coaster immediately stops because of brakes, it causes a jolt in everyone inside the coaster. This is because it had a lot of momentum, and momentum equals mass and velocity. The coaster obviously has a lot of mass, but add in it's speed, it will have A LOT of momentum, and be harder to stop.

Weightlessness

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-09 02:31:37 UTC

This often occurs during drops, in which the drop is so high that one may feel "weightless" for a short amount of time. To fully understand the sensation of weightless, one must understand that the pull of gravity never changes. Throughout the loop, or drop, gravity's pull never changes. However, the normal force which is opposite of the surface of an object can change. So, if an object is on a level surface, the normal force and the force of gravity are equal. In a loop, gravity's pull stays the same, but since the ride is going in a "circle", the normal force points down at the top of the loop, and so does the pull of gravity. This is when the rider may feel weightlessness since nothing is supporting their bodies. The pull of gravity on the rider is still the same so they weigh the same, but since the normal force is no longer acting on the rider, they feel weightless.

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-10 02:36:12 UTC

Batman: The Ride

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-11 02:46:30 UTC

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Six Flags, Magic Mountain.

g and Joule

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-11 02:49:37 UTC

A g is the symbol for the acceleration of an object due to gravity. 1 g is equal to 9.8 m/s/s, which is the force of gravity on Earth.

Energy is measured in joule. Kinetic and potential energy are both measured in joules. For example, in our marble coaster construction, the potential energy of our marble was 9.98 joules, and our kinetic energy was .0044 joules.

KE and PE change in roller coasters

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-11 02:55:01 UTC

In a roller coaster, the kinetic and potential energy is always changing. As the roller coaster goes up a hill, it's potential energy is higher. Therefore, as it goes higher in the air, its energy builds up. The potential energy in a coaster is lesser as it goes downhill.

When it goes downhill, the potential energy is switched to kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is at most when going downhill, however it is least when the coaster goes up.

Both kinetic and potential energy are measured in joules.

Did You Know?

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-11 02:59:31 UTC

The fastest roller coaster in the world is the Formula Rossa, located in the United Arab Emirates. It reaches it's highest speed, which is 240 km/h, in just 5 seconds! In fact, it's so fast that the riders must wear eye glasses similar to ones used in skydiving for protection.

Did You Know?

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-11 03:07:16 UTC

At Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson,New Jersey, the world's tallest roller coaster at a height of 456 feet stands. The Kingda Ka ride is also the second fastest roller coaster as it is launched at a speed of 128 mph in just 3.5 seconds!

The History of Rollercoasters

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-12 19:30:36 UTC

Some historians believe that rollercoasters descend from some specifically designed ice hills in Russia around the 17th century. The slides had wooden supports, and reached a height of 70-80 feet, and had a drop of 50 feet. However, other historians believe that the French created the first roller coaster. In 1812, the Les Montagnes Russes a Belleville and the Prominades Aeriennes had wheeled cars that were secure on a track, guide rails, and higher speeds.

In the United States around the 1850's, which was later in the years after the French's construction of roller coasters, miners in the US created downhill tracks with carts to carry coal from place to place. These carts were sometimes open to riders who were willing to pay 50 cents per ride. In 1884, a man named LeMarcus Adna Thompson created a Switchback Railway that took riders to the top of a platform and then rode down a 600 ft. track, and then up another platform, and then back. This railway soon was turned into an oval track.

Roller Coaster Elements

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-12 20:16:18 UTC

the Cobra Roll

Roller Coaster Elements

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-12 20:17:32 UTC

Corkscrew

Roller Coaster Elements

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-12 20:19:41 UTC

Roller coaster elements add excitement to a roller coaster. They allow the rider to have the weird stomach feelings, and they also provide a rush and thrilling adventure in a ride.

<--- Check the sides to see some roller coaster elements. --->

Marble Coaster Construction

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-14 01:44:54 UTC

Our Rollercoaster

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-14 01:51:09 UTC

And The

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-14 01:53:10 UTC

Jets

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-14 01:54:11 UTC

The Brunettes

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-14 01:58:40 UTC

Our Roller coaster Speed/Energy

keanna_dabu — 2014-04-14 03:08:45 UTC

Total Length of Coaster = 7.4 meters

Average speed of the marble was:

2.22 m/sec.

Potential Energy= 9.9715 joules

(.0055kg)(185cm)(9.8m/s/s)

Kinetic Energy = .0044 joules

1/2(.0055kg)(1.27sec)

(We were unable to get a video of the marble, since we ran out of time)