Physics of Roller Coasters Essay -- Roller Coaster Theme Park Amusemen

Roller coasters argon driven al some entirely by inertial, gravitational and centripetal coerces. Amusement parks keep building fleet and much complex roller coasters, but the fundamental principles at bleed remain the same. A roller coaster is like train. It consists of a series of attached cars that move on tracks. But unlike a passenger train, a roller coaster has no engine or power source of its own. For most of the ride, a roller coaster is moved solitary(prenominal) by the forces of inertia and graveness. The only exertion of expertness occurs at the very beginning of the ride, when the cars are pulled up the first heap, or the peak heap. The purpose of this first heave is to build up potential brawniness. The concept of potential dynamism is As the coaster gets higher in the air, there is a greater distance gravity can pull it down. The potential energy built-up going up the hill can be released as energizing energy, energy of motion, as before long as the cars start coasting down the hill. At the binding of the first lift hill (a), there is maximum potential energy because the train is as high as it gets. As the train starts down the hill, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy -- the train speeds up. At the bottom of the hill (b), there is maximum kinetic energy and little potential energy. The kinetic energy propels the train up the second hill (c), building up the potential-energy aim. As the train enters the loop (d), it has a lot of kinetic energy and not much potential energy. The potential-energy level builds as the train speeds to the round top of the loop (e), but it is soon converted back to kinetic energy as the train leaves the loop (f). When the coaster is relea... ...ly upside down, gravity is pulling you issue of your seat, toward the ground, but the stronger acceleration force is pushing you into your seat, toward the sky. Since the two forces pushing you in opposite directions are nearly equal, your body feels very light. As in the sharp descent, you are almost weightless for the brief moment when you are at the top of the loop. As you come out of the loop and level out, you become heavy again. In a loop-the-loop, the intensity of the acceleration force is determined by two factors the speed of the train and the angle of the turn. As the train enters the loop, it has maximum kinetic energy -- that is, it is moving at top speed. At the top of the loop, gravity has slowed the train down somewhat, so it has more potential energy and less kinetic energy -- it is moving at reduced speed.