Jump to content
  • entries
    30
  • comments
    10
  • views
    3,885

The Physics of Roller Coasters

ncharles

Entry posted by ncharles

980 views

 Share

At any amusement park, there is always at least one roller coaster; its make makes the park. However when people ride it they don't actually think about how it works and the physics behind it. First of all, the first hill is the biggest in order to accumulate enough energy to get through the whole thing. And after that, gravity and the conversation of energy take the lead. Although present, the friction between the cart and the track is very little and doesn't change much. Because of this, at any point on the ride, the sum of the potential energy and kinetic energy is equal; whether going up, down or even around a loop. So the next time you ride a roller coaster think about how its all gravity after the first hill!

 Share

0 Comments

Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×

Terms of Use

The pages of APlusPhysics.com, Physics in Action podcasts, and other online media at this site are made available as a service to physics students, instructors, and others. Their use is encouraged and is free of charge. Teachers who wish to use materials either in a classroom demonstration format or as part of an interactive activity/lesson are granted permission (and encouraged) to do so. Linking to information on this site is allowed and encouraged, but content from APlusPhysics may not be made available elsewhere on the Internet without the author's written permission.

Copyright Notice

APlusPhysics.com, Silly Beagle Productions and Physics In Action materials are copyright protected and the author restricts their use to online usage through a live internet connection. Any downloading of files to other storage devices (hard drives, web servers, school servers, CDs, etc.) with the exception of Physics In Action podcast episodes is prohibited. The use of images, text and animations in other projects (including non-profit endeavors) is also prohibited. Requests for permission to use such material on other projects may be submitted in writing to info@aplusphysics.com. Licensing of the content of APlusPhysics.com for other uses may be considered in the future.

APlusPhysics Books

APlusPhysics Books

×
×
  • Create New...