Roller Coasters Webquest Introduction Task Process EvaluationConclusion

Introduction Summer’s coming up and even your teacher is excited to enjoy the sun. The first place I’m heading is to an amusement park. My favorite rides to go on are, of course, the roller coasters. I know I loved going on roller coasters when I was in school, and I still do. Hopefully all of you do too!

Task To get you fully prepared for the summer ahead, you will get into teams of 6 to research, design and build (virtually and literally) your own coaster. You will also submit a written report explaining the forces behind each death defying loop and stomach churning turn in the coaster. Finally, you will evaluate your own and your classmates’ coasters based on their effectiveness.

Like this guy…

Process 1. Listed below are the websites to provide you with the basic physics concepts behind creating a roller coaster. Newton’s Laws Newton’s Laws Kinetic and Potential Kinetic and Potential Energy G Forces G Forces Centripital Force Centripital Force Loss of Heat and Sound Loss of Heat and Sound Coaster Physics Coaster Physics

Process 2. Below are websites to virtually design a coaster. These will help to provide a visual to develop further understanding.Virtual Coaster Virtual CoasterVirtual Coaster Virtual Coaster 2 Virtual Coaster 2 3. Listed below is a website that explains how to build model coasters. Models

Evaluation The grading rubric for the assignment can be found here. here

Conclusion Hopefully, this WebQuest has given you the opportunity to experience the thrill of using the physics principles learned to design your own coaster. Now you can impress your friends by explaining the forces that propel you as you’re upside in the first loop. Or, of course, you can simply enjoy the ride.

Teacher’s Page Grade Level: 12 Performance Objectives: Students will be able to identify and explain the laws of physics applicable to roller coasters. Students will demonstrate understanding of these concepts in the written report describing their coasters. Students will experiment by designing and building their own model coaster. Students will evaluate the effectiveness of their own and fellow classmates’ coasters.

Teacher’s Page Academic Standards - Apply the principles of motion and force. - Evaluate wave properties of frequency, wavelength and speed as applied to sound and light through different media. - Propose and produce modifications to specific mechanical power systems that will improve their efficiency. - Analyze the principles of translational motion, velocity and acceleration as they relate to free fall and projectile motion. - Analyze the principles of rotational motion to solve problems relating to angular momentum, and torque. - Interpret a model that illustrates circular motion and acceleration. - Describe inertia, motion, equilibrium, and action/ reaction concepts through words, models and mathematical symbols.