By Dave Damato Coulter Somes
Dec 14, 2015
How is Physics Present in Coasters? What Makes A Roller
Coaster Work
• Acceleration – Rate of change in velocity
• Slope–Downward–Upward
• Centripetal force (the center seeking force)– Force that makes an object move in a circle
• Uniform Circular Motion– The motion of a object
around the center of a circle in such a manner that speed is constant and unchanging (loop)
• Colthoid– Much smaller radius at the
top than at the bottom• Key factor to prevent
cars from approaching at too high of speeds and equalizes force as the coaster moves into the loop
• Energy– An objects ability to do
work• Kinetic• Potential
• Force– Push or pull on an object
• Balanced Force: Equal forces applied on each side
• Does not yield a change in velocity
• Unbalanced Force: Unequal forces applied that yield a change in velocity
• Friction– Force that acts against the car resisting
motion• Affected by:
– Weight/Surface Pressure
• Gravity– Most important force involved in a roller
coaster• Keeps the coaster on the track
• Inertia– Resistance to move
• More mass = greater amount of inertia
• G-Forces (gravitational forces)– Change constantly
throughout ride• Decent
• Velocity– An objects speed in a specific direction– Velocity changes with a change in direction
• Turns = same speed, different velocity
• Momentum
• Force/Speed of movement
• Object mass multiplied by its velocity
• Work– Force used to move
an object• Ex. Gravity pulling the
coaster down the track
• Mass– Measure of inertia
Fun Facts
-Running WheelsGuides
-Friction wheelsCentral lateral movement
-Final setKeeps coaster on track
Potential/Kinetic Energy Experiment
• Car = .5kg
• Height of gate trial 1– Gate 1: 14cm– Gate 2: .075cm
Calculations (Gate 1)
• Potential Energy– mgh = .5(10)(.14) = .7J
• Kinetic Energy– ½(.5)(.775)^2 = 1.50 J
• Total Energy– .7 +.150 = .85
Calculations (Gate 2)
• Potential Energy– mgh = .5(10)(.075) = .375 J
• Kinetic Energy– ½(.5)(1.480)^2 = .5476 J
• Total Energy– .375 +.5476 = .9226
Data Table
Trial Height (m) PE (J) Velocity (m/s) KE (J) Total E (J) % Difference
1.) Gate 1 0.14 0.686 0.775 1.5 0.836
1.) Gate 2 0.075 0.368 1.48 0.548 0.915 7.894
2.) Gate 1 0.11 0.539 0.689 0.119 0.658
2.) Gate 2 0.06 0.294 1.284 0.412 0.706 4.848
3.) Gate 1 0.09 0.441 0.609 0.093 0.534
3.) Gate 2 0.053 0.26 1.135 0.322 0.582 4.804
4.) Gate 1 0.066 0.323 0.493 0.061 0.384
4.) Gate 2 0.042 0.206 0.901 0.203 0.409 2.459
Explanation of Results
• % Change .9226-.85=.0726*100 = 7.26
• Potential energy converts to kinetic Energy as it reaches the bottom of the hill. The longer the car is on the track, the more affect the friction has on the velocity.
Bibliography• Web Site: Henderson, Tom. Glenbrook South Physics. Course home page.
Fall 1996-Spring 2004. Spring 2004. Dept. of Science, Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois. 5 Feb. 2007 <http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/ phys/CLass/info.html#copyright>.
• Web Site: McCoy, Natallie. Think Quest. 5 Feb. 2007 <http://library.thinkquest.org/ C0113822/credits.html?>.
• Web Site: Harris, Tom. "How Roller Coasters Work." How Stuff Works. 2007. Google. 6 Feb. 2007 <http://www.howstuffworks.com/roller-coaster1.htm>.
• Web Site: The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond. "Roller Coaster." Amusement Park Physics. 10 Feb. 2007. Annenberg Media. 13 Feb. 2007 <http://www.learner.org/ exhibits/parkphysics/coaster.html>.
• Book: McGrath, Kimberley A. World of Physics. Wisconsin: The Gale Group, 2001.
Podcast
• http://www.howstuffworks.com/roller-coaster1.htm
• http://www.howstuffworks.com/roller-coaster1.htm
• http://fc.cushing.org/~ddamato07/FOV2-0001F4A1/S017C4962.0/Attach0.mp3