Updated 15 October 2001
INTRODUCTION
This section of the Physics Pavilion will discuss some of the
principles involved in the design of a roller coaster. It is intended
for the middle or high school teacher. Physics students may find the
information helpful as well. Many of the concepts can be applied to
topics other than roller coasters. Some sections will use the
Roller Coaster Simulator, RCS.The included
activities are hands on cookbook type. Each section includes
background topics that should have been taught previously.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General
The Simple Roller Coaster
The Most Often Used
Calculations
Getting the Coaster Started
Weightlessness
Hills and Dips (and Projectile
Motion)
Loops
Physiological Effects of
Acceleration
Center of Mass
Horizontal and Banked Curves
Further Support Materials
Making the Roller Coaster
Simulator
Making a Hot Wheels Train
Field Estimation Tips, Useful Formulae
and Constants
Amusement Park Labs
Intro to Design: Example
Roller Coaster Test #1
Roller Coaster Test #2
Simple Coaster Practice
Answers to the Activities
Extra Credit Design Activity
One Final Note of Preparation
Online roller coaster lab New
10/2001
Roller Coaster Desginer Program for
the TI-82/83 Calcualtor
Measurements for the Coasters at
Paramount's Kings Dominion in Doswell Virginia
This book assumes some rudimentary knowledge of
physical science. It is a simplified view of what design
considerations and science a mechanical/civil design engineer must
know when designing a roller coaster.
by Tony Wayne, e-mail:
wayne@pen.k12.va.us
Copyright 1998. The printed book as these pages may not be sold. They
may be shared freely. (Just tell the author you are using them.)
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