Download Physics of a Rollercoaster

By
Dave Damato
Coulter Somes
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 Wheels
Guides
-Friction wheels
Central lateral movement
-Final set
Keeps 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)
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
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
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.) 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
% Difference
7.894
4.848
4.804
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/rollercoaster1.htm
• http://fc.cushing.org/~ddamato07/FOV20001F4A1/S017C4962.0/Attach0.mp3