Roller Coaster Project

1
Roller Coaster Project

• Robert
• Engineer
• Spring 2005
• Grange Middle School

2
8th grade California Science Content Standard

• 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.
• 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.

3
Roller Coaster Terms

• Kinetic energy The maximum energy that is
  reached at the bottom of the first hill.
• Velocity The speed of an object and any change
  in direction. Speed distance traveled per unit
  time.
• Gravity the downward force that keeps you down
  on earth.
• Centripetal Force The inward force that pushes
  the coaster inward on the track.
• Acceleration The units are distance per time
  squared. Potential Energy The roller coaster
  reaches its maximum potential energy at the top
  of the first hill.
• G-force When a jet plane makes a sharp turn you
  feel more g-forces.

4
Materials

• A) 2 six foot sections of ¾ inch inner diameter,
  thin wall, pipe insulation trackB) 1 marbleC)
  cup (to catch marble at end of track)D) 8
  twenty cm sections of masking tapeE) Timer
  (preferably a stopwatch) F) BalanceG) Digital
  camera

5
How a coaster works

• Q-1) Does a coaster have an engine?
• A-1) No, the power to it is the first hill. When
  it reaches is the downslide gives it speed and
  also with a series of other hills
• Q-2) What conversion process drives a roller
  coaster ?
• A-2) The conversion to Potential energy to
  Kinetic energy
• Q-3) When you are at the top of a hill, what type
  of energy is this called?
• A-3) The energy is called Potential energy
• Q-4) What is the difference between wooden and
  steel coasters? Describe three differences.
• A-4) wooden can only go up and down, steel can go
  up and down and twist, steel coaster are faster
  than wooden

6
Speed and Acceleration

• The equation of speed is Speed distance/time
• The equation for acceleration
• Acceleration final velocityinitial
  velocity/Time

7
Sample Speed problem

• Speed distance/Time
• Speed 1.5/3(s)
• Speed1.5/3 0.5
• Speed 0.5

8
Acceleration problem

• 90 0/ 9 10
• 90-00
• 90/9 10
• 22(m/s) 15 (m/s) / 4 sec.
• 22-157
• 7(m/s)/ 4 sec. 1.75

9
Sample Roller Coaster problem

• A2B2C2
• 7521002 TD
• 562510,000TD
• Square root of 15625 125
• Speeddistance/time
• 125/3.5 35.7
• 35.7.mp-0/3.5 10.2.mp
• Acceleration 10.2 meters / s2

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Results After the field trip
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conclusions

• Question How dose physics explain the motion of
  a roller coaster?
• Physics is the key of the roller coaster that
  makes it move
• It also it keeps people from flying out of your
  seats
• And also physic help the roller coaster complete
  a loop in the ride

12
?Aftermath?

• Above all every one had a fun time. ?