Roller Coaster Physics

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This report will investigate characteristics of modern day roller coasters. It will determine the better quality ride between the two given plans A and B, by distinguishing the more exciting, and safer option. To create a thrilling ride the best roller coasters include speed, extremes in impulse, acceleration and levels of sensation to create a minute to remember. By understanding, and combining basic physics laws of motion we can create a thrilling ride to give the scariest experience of a lifetime. To analyse the two different plans, a number of physics concepts need to be identified. The report will discuss the energy high and lows, with kinetic and gravitational energy as well as differences in acceleration and velocities. To understand…show more content…
The oldest roller coaster descended from the Russian mountains and was heavily constructed hills of ice, located near St Petersburg. Built in the 17th century, the slides were built to a height of between 70 feet (21 m) and 80 feet (24 m), it consisted of a 50 degree drop, and was reinforced by wooden supports. These slides became popular with the Russian upper class. (Wikipedia 2June 2011) In 1959, the Disneyland theme park introduced a new design breakthrough in roller coasters with the Matterhorn Bobsleds. This was the first roller coaster to use a tubular steel track. Unlike conventional wooden rails, tubular steel can be bent in any direction, which allows designers to incorporate loops, corkscrews, and many other manoeuvres into their designs. Most modern roller coasters are made of steel, although wooden roller coasters are still being built. (Wikipedia 2 June 2011) The key physics concepts underpinning the workings of a roller coaster include gravitational energy, kinetic energy, the conservation of energy, centripetal acceleration, and vertical circular motion. Friction also has an important role to play in the construction of a rollercoaster. A roller coaster converts stored energy, (formula = mgh) which is known as gravitational potential energy into energy…show more content…
The kinetic energy of an object is determined by the mass and velocity at which the object is moving. When a coaster cart is dispensing down the first hill not all the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, some is lost in other conversion processes. For example the friction given up by the moving parts of the cart give off heat. PE is also converted into some sound energy with the contact of the cart and the track in the process of reaching the top of the hill. The cart causes the supporting structure to flex, bend and vibrate and producing kinetic energy but not on the cart but on the track. The conservation of energy illustrates work and energy relationships. It states that the work done by external forces changes the amount of mechanical energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed and it remains constant. The conservation of energy in the case of a roller coaster demonstrates that when a cart reaches its initial summit only force is gravity. Loops and curves are essential for roller coasters as it gives the passenger the excitement which is caused by body inertia, where your body wants to stay in a straight line. Centripetal acceleration is when the cart is moving in a circular motion, this points towards the centre of the circular path of the

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