Seth Augustover Two-Way Conference Presentation 10/22/2005 EDIT 652 Physics Involved in the SKYCOASTER - IT'S NOT HANG GLIDING BUT CLOSE - IT'S NOT SKY DIVING - BUT CLOSE - IT'S THE THRILL OF YOUR LIFE Seth Augustover Two-Way Conference Presentation 10/22/2005 EDIT 652

Outline Introduction Freefall & Gravity G-Forces Potential vs Kinetic Energy Centripetal Force Centrifugal Force What is the Skycoaster? Skycoaster Video Conclusion

Introduction There is no reason to be scared of any amusement park ride. All precautions taken are aimed to counter act the forces of any of the natural physics that act upon it. These precautions include but are not limited to lap belts and shoulder restraints Some rides that even go upside down DO NOT need any restraints other than a chair, but are only put there to calm the minds of the riders.

Freefall & Gravity Gravity is a constant acceleration towards the Earth's surface of 9.8 m/s2. Gravity is the only force acting on an object that is in free fall. Objects of all masses fall at the same rate. Elephant or Rock http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/mmedia/newtlaws/efff.html

G-Forces G-forces measure the force you feel within Earth's gravitational field. At 1 G, you feel your normal weight as you would feel standing on the ground. In zero G, you feel as though you have no weight at all. During a free-fall ride or a sudden drop on an elevator, you may begin to experience this sensation. At higher G's, you feel increasingly squashed in your seat. An elevator as it begins going up or around a roller coaster loop http://science.nasa.gov/msl1/ground_lab/msl1whee.htm

Potential vs Kinetic Energy Potential Energy think of a compressed spring Kinetic Energy actual moving energy Potential Energy converts to Kinetic Energy Roller coasters can move faster than 100 m.p.h. without even having an engine Cars are pulled up the first hill, but then the coaster completes the ride on its own. Potential energy converts to kinetic energy as gravity pulls the cars down the hill Coaster completes the ride http://www.howstuffworks.com/animation17.htm Credit: http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0906/p18s02-hfks.html

Centripetal Force Centripetal Force is a force pushing an object toward the center of a curve. It is required to keep an object in motion to remain in motion around a curve The moon orbits the earth in a circular motion In a roller coaster loop, riders are pushed inwards toward the center of the loop car seat (at the loop's bottom) and by gravity (at the loop's top). Credit: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/glossary.html http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/mmedia/circmot/rcd.html

Centrifugal Force Centrifugal Force is a force pushing an object away from the center of the curve. To keep an object moving in a circular path, centrifugal force is always equal in magnitude but opposite in direction from centripetal force. In a roller coaster loop, centrifugal force keeps the rider pushed down into his seat. As the speed increases seat restraints would not be necessary. Credit: http://regentsprep.org/Regents/ physics/phys06/bcentrif/centrif.htm

What is the Skycoaster? Amusement Rides such as the Skycoaster make a pendulum motion which incorporate all of the terms mentioned Skycoaster is the world’s tallest free-fall ride Riders are placed in special flight suits fastened to steel cables that can hold up to 9,000 lbs each.  They are pulled up to the top of the tower at the height of 300 feet.  They pull their own ripcord starting their plunge downward toward for 120 feet straight down, then the cables gently catch them Reaches speeds of 85 mph.

Skycoaster Video Watch the video Identify when the different forces we talked about are displayed

Conclusion Amusement Rides such as the Skycoaster is extremely popular because of the amount of Physics acting on it at anytime. Now we can identify all the forces involved in amusement park rides and we could explain why or why not going on these rides is safe.