Roller Coasters!
Physics of Roller Coasters
Types of Energy:
Types of Roller Coasters
Wooden Roller Coaster
- Non looping
- Not as fast
- Not as long
- Not as tall
- Sways more
Both
- Running wheels
- Friction wheels
- Conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy, and vice versa.
- Compressed air brakes
Steel Roller Coaster
- More looping
- Taller
- Faster
- Steeper
Roller Coaster Safety
Compressed air brakes are used at the end of the ride to stop the cart from moving.
Wheels:
Running wheels are used to keep the cart on the track while friction wheels control lateral motion, which is movement from side to side on the track. Lastly there is a final set of wheels that keep the car on the track during inversion.
Computer Control:
During a roller coaster you are protected from the roller coaster going to fast so that it is unsafe. The reason is that there are people working the machine to make sure the speed does not go over the limit, they make sure carts never come to close to one another, control seat belts making sure everyone is secure, and alert workers in case there are technical glitches or track problems.
Apart from the mechanical things causing roller coasters to be safe their are also seat belts. On some non looping roller coasters and all looping roller coaster, the seats have harness to prevent you from falling. Even though roller coasters are safe, there are some things that on your own you should take in consideration. Before riding a roller coaster there are signs that tell you while being on line that you should not ride if your pregnant, under the use of alcohol, under an age limit, or height and weight. If those situations above apply to you and you choose to ride the roller coaster, then you are risking your own life meaning the roller coaster is not risking your life.