Final Physics Roller Coaster Project.

 

PHYSICS FINAL PROJECT INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PLANNING AND COMPLETING.

 

You need basic prior knowledge about forces, particularly gravity and friction, as well as some familiarity with kinetic and potential energy. You should also know Newton’s second law of motion and understand basic concepts of motion, such as position, velocity and acceleration.

 

After this activity, YOU should be able to:

• Explain why it is important for engineers to know how roller coasters work.
• Explain in physics terms how a roller coaster works.
• Discuss the effects of gravity and friction in the context of their roller coaster designs.
• Use the principle of conservation of energy to explain the layout of roller coasters.
• Identify points in a roller coaster track at which a car has maximum kinetic energy and maximum potential energy.
• Identify points in a roller coaster track where a car experiences more or less than 1 g-force.
• Identify points in a roller coaster track where a car accelerates and decelerates.

 

 

http://zonalandeducation.com/mstm/physics/physics.html

 

http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/glossary.html

 

http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/pictures/

 

 

When engineers design objects and structures, such as the appliances in your homes and other products you use, bridges and roadways, skyscrapers and other structures like amusement park rides, or even bicycles and chair lifts at ski resorts, they work within what they call “constraints.” Constraints are project requirements and/or limitations. Engineers must take into consideration these constraints in order to come up with successful design solutions.

In the case of designing roller coasters, what might be some constraints that engineers would have to consider?

 

The amusement park client may also give requirements for the type of movement they want for the ride, such as upside-down loops, corkscrews, specific degree turns, length of drops or maximum speed, or safety assurances for users (safe for people taller than four feet high). Another basic constraint that always applies is consideration of the natural physical laws that exist in our world, such as the limits of gravity and effects of slope, speed and friction. This is an example of how an engineer’s understanding of the fundamental laws of physics is very important to the success of a project. Coming up with a design solution that takes all these factors into consideration and works reliably, safely and as intended is what engineers do.

When designing your roller coaster, what are the physics concepts that you have learned that will be helpful and very important to apply?

 

All true roller coasters are entirely driven by the force of gravity. The excitement of a ride comes from the ongoing conversion between potential and kinetic energy, which we know from the law of conservation of energy. Friction is important to slowing down roller coaster cars and acceleration plays a role in the experience provided by roller coaster cars as they move along a track.

And how do these concepts translate to your challenge to design a roller coaster that provides a thrilling experience that is safe for riders?

 

The first hill must be the highest point or the roller coaster won’t work. If a car is not moving fast enough at the top of a loop it will fall off the track. Pay attention to the friction between the car and the track, making it as small as you can so the cars move fast enough to make it through the entire track.

Vocabulary/Definitions

force:	Any push or pull.
gravity:	A force that draws any two objects toward one another.
speed:	How fast an object moves and is equal to the distance that object travels divided by the time it takes.
velocity:	A combination of speed and the direction in which an object travels.
critical velocity:	The speed needed at the top of a loop for a car to make it through the loop without falling off the track.
acceleration:	How quickly an object speeds up, slows down or changes direction. Is equal to change in velocity divided by time.
friction:	A force caused by rubbing between two objects.
potential energy:	The energy stored by an object ready to be used. (In this lesson, we use gravitational potential energy, which is directly related to the height of an object and its mass.)
kinetic energy:	The energy of an object in motion, which is directly related to its velocity and its mass.
gravitational constant:	The acceleration caused by the Earth’s gravity at sea level. Is equal to 9.81 m/sec^2 (32.2 ft/sec^2).
g-force:	Short for gravitational force. Is equal to the force exerted on an object by the Earth’s gravity at sea level.