1. Use the following information to help you.
ROLLER COASTER TYCOON!
AF1, AF2 and AF3
There are a lot of career paths open to those with Science qualifications. Some of those involve understanding how scientific concepts can be applied and the implications that they cause.
Alton Towers has a team of scientists whose job it is to apply their knowledge of Physics to creating new and exciting roller coaster rides for thrill seekers.
Could YOU be a rollercoaster designer? Try this practical task and find out! Your teacher will appoint the best designer based on your presentations.
Alton Towers have commissioned you to design their new ride ‘Apocalypse’ which will be based on scenes from a popular film.
You must apply your scientific knowledge to design and/or build a prototype rollercoaster.
Use the following information to help you.

2. TO GET LEVEL YOU MIGHT: (LL4-7) ROLLER COASTER TYCOON
Alton Towers have commissioned you to design their new ride ‘Apocalypse’ which will be based on scenes from a popular film.
You must apply your scientific knowledge to design and/or build a prototype roller coaster.
You must also present your roller coaster to the rest of the class.
Use the level ladder below to help you reach your target level.
TO GET LEVEL
YOU MIGHT: 4
Design a roller coaster fitting the needs of Alton Towers and stating your reasons why it meets those needs.
Choose a suitable way to present your roller coaster and information.
State what is meant by the term ‘inertia’ and describe the role it plays on your roller coaster. 5
All of the above AND
State what is meant by the term ‘G-force’ and describe the role that it would have on your roller coaster and on thrill seekers riding it.
Draw force diagrams showing all the forces acting at various parts of your roller coaster. 6
Explain the apparent changes in weight in terms of unbalanced forces in acceleration and deceleration.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your model. 7
Explain, using values of forces, the changes in apparent weight when speeding up, slowing down and at a steady speed.
Represent the ideas of G-force and inertia using diagrams or flow charts.
Self Evaluation:
Target level
I think I have achieved level because

3. Planning sheet 1: Initial ideas for my roller coaster

4. Ideas for my roller coaster: Ideas for my roller coaster:
Planning sheet L4:
Ideas for my roller coaster:
Ideas for my roller coaster:
How will I present my information:
What is meant by the term ‘inertia’:
How will inertia affect my roller coaster:

5. Ideas for my roller coaster: Ideas for my roller coaster:
Planning sheet L5:
Ideas for my roller coaster:
Ideas for my roller coaster:
How will I present my information:
What is meant by the term ‘inertia’:
How will inertia affect my roller coaster:
What will your force diagram look like:
What is G-force and what affect does it have on your roller coaster:

6. Ideas for my roller coaster: Ideas for my roller coaster:
Planning sheet L6:
Ideas for my roller coaster:
Ideas for my roller coaster:
How will I present my information:
How will inertia affect my roller coaster:
What is meant by the term ‘inertia’:
What is G-force and what affect does it have on your roller coaster:
What will your force diagram look like:
What are the apparent weight changes during acceleration and deceleration:
The strengths and weaknesses of my model are:

7. I Explain, using values of forces, the changes in apparent
Planning sheet L7:
I Explain, using values of forces, the changes in apparent
Ideas for my roller coaster:
How will I present my information:
What is meant by the term ‘inertia’:
How will inertia affect my roller coaster:
What will your force diagram look like:
What is G-force and what affect does it have on your roller coaster:
What are the apparent weight changes during acceleration and deceleration:
The strengths and weaknesses of my model are:
Explain, using values of forces, the changes in apparent weight when speeding up, slowing down and at a steady speed:
How will I represent the ideas of G-force and inertia using diagrams or flow charts:

8. TO GET LEVEL TASK  or COMMENTS  Student comment
ROLLER COASTER TYCOON
Marking Grid
(L4-7)
TO GET LEVEL
TASK
 or COMMENTS  4
Suitable design for roller coaster
Has chosen appropriate forms of communication of project
Reasons stated why roller coaster is suitable
Definition of inertia given
Explanation of affect of inertia on roller coaster 5
Definition of G-force given
Explanation of affect of G-force on roller coaster and thrill seekers
Force diagrams drawn and completed correctly 6
Changes in apparent weight during acceleration explained
Changes in apparent weight during deceleration explained
Some strengths and weaknesses of roller coaster model described 7
Explanation of apparent weight changes when speeding up, slowing down and at steady speed
Diagrams or flow charts drawn to represent abstract concepts e.g. G-force and inertia
Student comment
Student comment
Overall teacher comment