Discovering roller coasters

							                        Discovering
                      roller coasters

                                       Joshua
                                      Physicist
                                    Spring 2005
                                 Dover Middle School
http://annekaringlass.com/2013                         http://www.realcoasters.com/
3%20Roller%20Coaster,%206%                             images/wall/loch_1152.jpg
20Flags,%20Solano,%20CA.jpg
                      Objectives
                                                        Motion 1. The velocity
                                                        of an object is the rate
                                                        of change of its
                                                        position. As a basis for
                                                        understanding this
                                                        concept:

                                                        1. b. Students know that
                                                        average speed is the
                                                        total distance traveled
                                                        divided by the total
                                                        time elapsed and that
                                                        the speed of an object
                                                        along the path traveled
                                                        can vary.
http://www.coastersandmore.de/rides/typhoon/looping_s
tar_04.500x665.jpg
               Objectives(cont.)
                                                               1. c. Students know
                                                               how to solve problems
                                                               involving distance,
                                                               time, and average
                                                               speed.

                                                               1. f. Students know
                                                               how to interpret
                                                               graphs of position
                                                               versus time and
                                                               graphs of speed
                                                               versus time for
                                                               motion in a single
                                                               direction.

http://www.picturesof.net/_gallery/_Architecture/_SM/roller_
coaster_medusa_ed5_SM.jpg
 Words to Know
Velocity-how fast an object moves and where it
goes(north,south,east,or west).For example,if a
car travels north to Mt.Shasta and it’s speed is
65 mph, then its velocity is 65 mph in a
northward direction.
Gravity-the force that pushes us towards the
earth.For example,gravity makes an apple fall
from a tree
Acceleration-the rate at which the speed or
direction of an object changes.For example, when
a car turns a corner it changes direction or
acceleration.
Words to Know(cont.)
G-force-the force exerted on an object by
gravity depending on its mass. For example, on
Earth you experience 1 G and on Jupiter you may
experience 20 G which is 20 times what you
feel on Earth.
Potential Energy (PE)-the energy an object has
due to its height and mass.For example, when you
are on a roller coaster and you are on top of its
hill you have more potential energy there than
any other place on the ride.
Kinetic Energy (KE)-the energy an object has due
to its speed and mass.For example, a roller
coaster rider has more kinetic energy when it is
going fast at a minimum height.
Words to know(cont.)
Centripetal force-the force that holds you in the
car of a roller coaster when you go in a loop
Supplies
     2 six foot sections of
     ¾ inch inner
     diameter, thin wall,
     pipe insulation track
     1 marble
     cup
      8 twenty cm sections
     of masking tape
     Stopwatch
     Balance
     Digital camera
How a coaster works
1) Does a coaster have an engine?
No
2) What conversion process drives
a roller coaster? PE turns into KE
3) When you are at the top of a
hill, what type of energy is this
called? PE