Discovering roller coasters

1
Discovering roller coasters

• Joshua
• Physicist
• Spring 2005
• Dover Middle School

http//annekaringlass.com/2013320Roller20Coaster
,20620Flags,20Solano,20CA.jpg
http//www.realcoasters.com/images/wall/loch_1152.
jpg
2
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/loopin
g_star_04.500x665.jpg
3
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
4
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 its 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.

5
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.

6
Words to know(cont.)

• Centripetal force-the force that holds you in the
  car of a roller coaster when you go in a loop

7
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

8
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