Exploring the Science of the Amusement Park

Begin by exploring some science concepts that explain how rides at an amusement park work.

1. Roller Coaster G Forces
2. Physics and Loop Design
3. Newton's Laws of Motion examples: like the car and the wall
   1. Energy Transformation in a Roller Coaster
   2. Newton's Laws of Motion
4. Do a Search for Roller Coaster in How Things Work The author of the book "How Things Work" is now on-line with a helpful set of pages which utilize a Question-Answer format. The pages are organized according to topic - one of which is about roller coasters. The information is technical and very worthwhile. In addition to learning from already asked questions that others have posed, you might be able to ask him your own question and receive an answer; use an e-mail account from home to do so.
5. Roller Coaster Lab The Rollercoaster Lab is a physics lesson and lab that Darice McIntosh's students have successfully completed to learn the difference between Kinetic and Potential Energy. The students also used this opportunity to demonstrate Cause and Effect in Scientific Method. (submitted by Kim W.)
6. Simple Machines and Laws of Motion
7. Optics (What my students need to know about Light and how eyes perceive it)
8. Optical Illusions
9. Magnets
10. Cornu Spiral submitted by Jamie E.

Find the meaning of each word in this Roller Coaster activity.

• Physics of the Amusement Park
• Amusement Park Physics
• Roller Coaster Physics
• Newton's Laws of Motion
• Roller Coaster G Forces (animation) includes Clothoid Loop
• Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy (animation)
• How a Roller Coaster Works

If you are interested in knowing about roller coaster go to Roller Coasters in the United States.

Activities invlolving the Science of the Amusement Park

Activity #1 Science at the Fair

Activity #2 My Favorite Ride at the Amusement Park

 

Activity #3 Series of labs exploring Friction, Potential and Kinetic Energy:

• Lab 1: Stop! Energy Thief! (Study friction)
  • Answers to #6-8

• Lab 2: Stop! Energy Thief! 2 (Effect of height and shape of coaster on friction, potential and kinetic energy)

See the roller coasters designs from previous years.

1. Roller coasters: 98-99 period 1, period 3, period 4, period 5, period 6, period 7
2. Roller Coasters 97-98
3. My Favorite Ride" Newsletter: Jan 1997 Issue

• "Science of the Roller Coaster" Newsletter: December 1996 Issue: includes the award winning Roller Coaster designs
• Lab 3: Utilizing the energy (Study of potential energy)

Activity #4 Building a Roller Coaster : includes internet sites about roller coasters

 

Activity #5 Create your own project

 

• Internet sites for further exploration in Physics