Roller Coaster Energy Flow
At Adventureland Amusement Park, roller coasters offer thrilling experiences that showcase the principles of physics in action. As the ride begins, the roller coaster is lifted to a high point, building gravitational potential energy. Once released, this energy transforms into kinetic energy, propelling the coaster forward. Throughout the ride, energy continuously shifts between potential and kinetic energy, with some energy dissipated as thermal energy due to friction and air resistance. Despite these losses, the total energy in the system remains constant, illustrating the Law of Conservation of Energy. Engineers carefully design roller coasters to maximize energy efficiency, ensuring that the ride maintains enough energy to complete loops, turns, and drops while keeping riders safe.
Iowa Core Standard
Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known
Driving Question
- How do physics and engineering principles determine the thrilling designs and safe operation of roller coasters?
Probing Questions
- How do engineers ensure safety while maintaining high-speed thrills?
- What is the relationship between potential and kinetic energy throughout the ride?
- How can mathematical models predict energy transformation acting on a roller coaster?
Classroom Suggestions
Students could:
- Use PhET’s Energy Skate Park to model energy transformations between kinetic and potential energy.
- Visit Adventureland or other amusement park to observe and measure ride motion using the PhyPhox app on their phones.
- Compare different roller coasters in terms of acceleration, force, and energy efficiency.
- Design their own roller coaster using simulations of physical models.
Resources
- Khan Academy | Physics Archive: These resources provide tutorials and videos showing the mathematical relationships of topics pertaining to the units covered in the physics of roller coasters.
- PhET Simulation | Energy Skate Park: This simulation allows students to explore energy transformations and how mass, friction, and gravity affect the skater’s energy.
- PBS LearningMedia | Annenberg Learner: Amusement Park Physics Simulation: This simulation allows students to apply physics laws to their roller coaster design with the consideration of engineering principles and safety.
- Teach Engineering | Engineering Design Process: This curriculum guide helps assist teachers in implementing the engineering design process.
- The Physics Classroom | Amusement Park Physics: This supplemental resource could be used as an extension relating circular motion to the force analysis of amusement park rides.
Contributors
Submitted by Kara Arrowood.
Photo contributed by Caryline Clark.
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