Physics: The Physics Of Roller Coasters

You, reading this paper, have you ever wanted to learn about the physics of rollercoasters? This research will explain how potential energy is converted into kinetic energy throughout the roller coaster. Two variations of roller coasters will be built. The roller coasters will be used to compare how the marble’s energy is affected by the hills, turns or loops of each roller coaster. Now let’s test their potential. The concept of a roller coaster can be dated back as far as the 1400’s. According to research, the Russians were the first to have come up with the basic idea for a thrill ride. The winter months were long and the Russian people found a way to pass the time. The people would pad blocks of ice with straw and slide down icy hills …show more content…
The tallest point of the roller coaster is the lift hill. This is the element of the ride that builds up the suspense thrill seekers crave. The majority of roller coasters begin with a slow climb up the lift hill. As the coaster climbs it is building up what science refers to as potential energy. “Potential energy is the energy built up and stored that is just waiting to be used.” (The Energy Lair 1) Once the coaster reaches the top of the hill it will begin its downward rush to the bottom. This is when the potential energy converts into kinetic energy. Movement is kinetic energy. “In order to have motion, energy must be transferred from one object to another.” (KINETIC-VS-POTENTIAL-ENERGY 1) Every time the roller coaster has to go up another hill some of the kinetic energy converts back to potential energy. Throughout the ride energy is lost, this is what scientist refer to as friction. Friction is the resistance moving objects have when they touch one another. The roller coaster reaches its fastest speed when it is close to the ground. This is also when the ride usually has its most kinetic energy and least amount of potential energy. Mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm introduced the term vis viva, meaning “living force”. (Challoner 16) This term would later be known to science as kinetic energy by the 1800’s. Mass can play another major part in the speed of the …show more content…
Hyper coasters are taller than 200 feet on their first lift hill. The first ever hyper coaster was introduced at Cedar Point in Ohio as the Magnum XL-200 in 1989. It reaches up to seventy-two miles per hour. Another addition to the roller coaster world is the the inverted coaster. The inverted coaster allows riders to sit in a hanging position under the track. The first inverted roller coaster, Batman: The Ride, was introduced in 1992 at a Six Flags amusement park. Roller coaster designers try to set new trends for the roller coaster experience. Two elements the designers want the riders to feel are airtime and G-force. Airtime is the feeling of weightlessness the riders get as if one is coming out of the seat. The opposite feeling riders will also experience is G-force. G-force is the feeling riders get when they are pressed down in the