Roller Coaster Design

You’re zooming down the track at 60+ miles per hour, holding on for dear life, feet pressing the floor of the car. Your heart is in your throat and your stomach is—well, somewhere. You consider it death-defying, yet worth these fascinating sensations of fright. What could be more fun than being a “Roller Coaster Scientist”?

Your Job! Research how a roller coaster works Compare several ‘thrilling’ roller coasters Design a roller coaster that is fun and safe "I'm taking the first car with hands up all the way, baby!"                 

How does it work? Go to the website: Intro to Roller Coaster Physics Read the article and answer the questions on the next slide. Check out the cool roller coaster simulation to see how it works! When you get to the section about ‘Two coaster types’

Questions Does a roller coaster have an engine? Why is the first hill that the roller coaster climbs the most important hill? What are potential and kinetic energy? Can you give an example of each? As you move along a roller coaster track, what is true of the size of the hills? After you finish the webquest, you can keep reading about roller coasters if there is enough time!

Research Let’s go to the Roller Coaster Database Use the ‘Random Roller Coaster’ link to investigate 5 different roller coaster. (Clicking on the ride’s name will get you all kinds of information!) Create a chart to compare the ‘thrill’ aspects of each one! (What makes a roller coaster thrilling anyway?)

Design It is time for you to apply all you have learned about roller coasters! Build your coaster (Follow the link!!!)