The Ups, Downs, Lefts, and Rights of Roller Coasters by Wences Banting

Weightlessness

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-07 15:20:25 UTC

Weightlessness is the absence of gravitational strain or compressional force being exerted upon an object. Example: Astronauts floating around in space. When on a roller coaster, one may experience a feeling of weightless as if they are about to fall out of the seat. This is commonly referred to as airtime.

Momentum

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-07 15:30:57 UTC

Momentum is the tendency for an object to continuously move along at a consistent rate. Formula: Momentum = Mass X Velocity. Roller tend to have moderate to high momentums with balanced mass and high velocity to ensure optimal performance and amusement.

G-Force

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-07 15:52:15 UTC

G-Force is a unit of measurement representing acceleration of an object that indirectly causes it to have weight due to the presence of gravity on Earth's surface. G-Forces are extremely prominent on roller coasters. The feeling of being weighed down or pushed back on a roller coasters is a prime example of G-Forces acting upon a body or object.

Centripetal and Centrifugal Force

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-07 16:02:19 UTC

Centripetal and Centrifugal Force are "forces' that depend on an object moving in a circle. Centripetal force has an object aims towards the center/core of a circle and therefore is locked in orbit. Centrifugal force aims away from the center due to an object's inertia acting against the opposite, centripital force. Centripetal and centrifugal forces can be exhibited during inversions on roller coasters. Centripetal force is briefly present on a loop/inversion or a sharp turn due to gravity pushing riders down despite resistance (To avoid falling out, of course).

Acceleration

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-08 15:37:27 UTC

Acceleration is the rate at which an object's speed fluctuates over a select period of time. Equation: A = FInal Speed minus Initial Speed over/divided by Time. Acceleration is a key element in roller coaster design, as most start out at a somewhat moderate speed and then increase over time, whereas some launch at breath taking speeds and then reach a steady constant velocity.

Friction

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-08 18:39:12 UTC

Friction is the resistive force produced by physical contact between objects or surfaces, thusly hindering motion to some extent. Example: Rubber stopper on sand paper. Friction is most definitely required on roller coasters to produce breaks or to control the many drops or turns. If the boarding station of a roller coaster had a slight incline and did not have friction or brakes, it would simply continue rolling or gain a dangerous amount of speed.

Kinetic Energy

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-09 22:58:28 UTC

Kinetic Energy is energy produced by motion being transferred to an object from a previously applied force. Kinetic energy, like other forms of energy, are measured in the unit of joules. The equation for kinetic energy is 1/2 mass times velocity squared. Kinetic energy applies to almost all roller coasters. The ride begins with an engine propelling it forward as a result of a power generator and for the most part will depend on gravity and base acceleration.

Potential Energy

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-09 23:23:37 UTC

Potential energy is energy stored within a body/object due to its position or height above the Earth's surface, but is not in motion. Ex: A raised weight, a compressed spring, an electric generator/charged battery. Hydraulically launched roller coasters use fluid in pistons and springs to keep them in place. These coasters possess copious amounts of kinetic energy when not in motion. Equation: mass x height times (9.8 m/s/s)

Physical Energy Measuring Unit

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-09 23:39:37 UTC

One joule = 1 (kg x M squared over X squared)

Roller Coaster History

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-10 00:03:06 UTC

Roller coasters originated in in Europe. Specifically, in Russia and France during the 17th century. Roller coasters were originally called "Russian Slides" based off of Mountain sled rides. Roller coasters would later evolve in Pennsylvania, America. Mining tracks could actually be used as thrill rides for fifty cents. These were then called "Scenic Railways." Roller coasters continued to grow in popularity, until they dropped in quantity during the Great Depression. They began to reappear in 1972 and grow once more. (On a side note, Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds became the first steel roller coaster).

Roller Coaster Record Holders

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-10 00:37:24 UTC

Formula Rossa: Fastest Roller Coaster in the world, located in United Arab Emirates. Top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph)

Kingda Ka: Highest Roller Coaster drop in the world, located in New Jersey, U.S.A. Has a drop from 127.4064 meters (418 feet)

Takabisha: Steepest Steel Roller Coaster, located in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan. A drop slope of 120 degrees

Steel Dragon 2000: Longest Roller Coaster, located in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture Japan. Has 2,479 meters of track (8,133 feet)

Vertical Loop-- the most basic inversion on a roller coaster

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-10 20:40:52 UTC

Hammerhead Turn-- The roller coaster ascends to meet a sharp turn, then banks sharply to the opposite direction on the turn in the same motion as the ascent

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-10 20:51:34 UTC

Camelback-- A series of small minor inclines/bumps producing negative G-Force (Airtime)

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-10 21:12:16 UTC

The Mystery of Roller Coasters

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-13 19:50:36 UTC

Roller Coasters launch at the very beginning with the use of an engine, but they completely eliminate the use of an engine for the remainder of the ride. How is this possible? Newton's first law states that all objects put into motion will stay in motion, so the force applied to the coaster will at some point force it into various drops that further support the momentum.

Picture, Video, and Measurements of Roller Coaster

SomeOtherGuy — 2015-04-14 15:18:04 UTC

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/s/?view=att&th=14c9fb55ef66ad25&attid=0.1&disp=attd&safe=1&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/s/?view=att&th=14c9fb4a73ec17f5&attid=0.1&disp=attd&safe=1&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/s/?view=att&th=14c9fb3c4a7547d9&attid=0.1&disp=attd&safe=1&zw