Scott Luk/Sara Adnan/ Songee Pak

Rollercoaster Physics Analysis

Physics laws governing roller coaster design:

The physics laws governing the rollercoaster include kinetic energy, potential energy,
inertia, friction, gravity, and momentum. Kinetic energy is energy in motion, while potential
energy is energy at rest. Inertia is a property that states that all objects remain in motion or at rest
unless another force acts upon them. Gravity is the force at the center of the earth that all objects
are attracted to, and momentum is the quantity of mass times velocity. The last major law is
friction, which is the resistance of an object on another object.
Comprehensive description of how roller coasters work:
Roller coasters work based off the laws of physics, and the different components of the
coaster using different laws. For example, coasters always start at a high point so the level of
momentum could be as high as possible for them to be able to go through the variety of loops
and turns. If enough momentum isnt present, the coaster wouldnt be able to complete the track,
and would stop. From the start till the end of the coaster, kinetic and potential energy play a
major role; at the start, potential energy is at a maximum and kinetic energy doesnt exist, but
when the coaster starts moving, kinetic energy increases gradually until potential energy is 0
Joules.
How do different variables affect roller coaster design:
The different variables that affect the roller coaster design are the same laws of physics
mentioned above. To be able to successfully create the designs and components required on the
rollercoaster, it was crucial to keep in mind the laws of physics, such as momentum. For
example, for the marble to be able to complete the loop, the initial decline of the ramp must have
been a certain length and steepness. Some other variables included measurements that restricted
the construction of the coaster. The height, width, and length were all to be no more than 60 cm
and that restriction influenced the way we laid out our design.
1. What happens to the coaster when we change variables such as the height of hills,
length of track, mass of the coaster, and speed of the coaster?
- If the coaster were to change variables such as height of the hills, it could result the
speed, potential energy and the rate of success to either reduce or increase. If we were to
change the height of the hills, it leads to a larger amount of potential energy that therefore
can change the speed. The change of one variable could lead to the change of many other
variables.
a. Why dont the cars of a roller coaster fly off the track?
1. Roller coasters do not fly out of tracks because of the potential energy, kinetic
energy, inertia, and gravity that correlates to the track of the roller coaster. Our
roller coaster track allows the marble (Roller-coaster) to generate enough kinetic
energy though the conversion of gravitational potential energy and that allows the

marble (Roller-coaster) to surpass the gravitational force by evading it while the

marble is traveling horizontally, therefore causing inertia which propel our marble
forward while sustaining its net force obtained from the conversion of energy
from potential to kinetic energy.

b. Why dont passengers fly out of the cars?

1. Passengers dont fly out of the car due to the force of gravity working against
other forces such as acceleration. Gravity pulling passengers down as well as seat
restraints make sure that the passengers dont fly out of their cars.
4. How high can the first hill of a roller coaster be?
a. The height if the first hill has be lower than 60cm because of the start of the
coaster is at the maximum height of 60cm. Depending on the gravitational
potential energy that is able to translate into kinetic energy, the height of the first
hill of a roller coaster could be variant depending on the final result as to how
much gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy that aims to be left over in
order to propel the ride forward, in order to later return to the start of the track on
a roller coaster, in a real life situation.
4. What physics laws determine how many hills, curves, and loops a roller coaster
track can have?
a. The physics laws that determine how many hills, curves, and loops a roller coaster
track can have include the law of conservation of energy, inertia, momentum, and
friction. Momentum is the most important law, as it directly influences the amount
of kinetic and potential energy the coaster has. How the high the initial drop is
correlated to how much kinetic energy the coaster would have. For example, if the
initial drop isnt as steep, the coaster would not be able to get through the loop, as
the right amount of momentum wouldnt be present.
4. What is the role of gravity and friction?
a. The role of gravity and friction is that gravity places a major role in moving the
roller coaster, since the marble is released and it starts at a downhill, gravity gives
the marble enough kinetic energy to travel through the coaster. The role of friction
is that it allows the marble to slow down as it goes through the coaster.
4. What was the maximum speed of the roller coaster, where in location and why was it
the maximum?
a. The maximum speed of the roller coaster was 141.4 cm/s according to our
calculations (data table). The maximum speed was achieved at point B, after the
loop because the gravitational potential energy was utilized and transformed into
kinetic energy. The section had the greatest drop in gravitational potential energy from 1,935.7 J to 934.5 J. The drop in gravitational potential meant the greatest
increase in kinetic energy through transformation - therefore accelerating the

marble and produced the maximum speed of the marble at point B, or right after
the loop on our roller-coaster.
4. What is the relationship between potential and kinetic energy during the full
duration of the roller-coaster trials?
a. The relationship between gravitational potential and kinetic energy is simple - as
gravitational potential energy decreases, kinetic energy increases. This applies to
the whole roller coaster and it also works alternatively - kinetic energy decreases
as gravitational potential energy increases until it reaches a situation or factor that
stops the conservation of momentum and energy. Outside force)
4. What would happen if the marble is replaced by a heavier lead ball? How would it
affect the roller coaster trials and why?
a. If the marble happened to be replaced by a heavier lead ball, our roller coaster
structure would possibly not be able to conduct and successfully complete the run
due to the different nature of the heavier ball that has more mass and will obtain
more net force as the lead ball continued to travel through our roller coaster. Aside
from the gravitational potential risk factors, the lead ball - if applicable and
successfully completes a run, would obtain more net force and momentum while
obtaining more gravitational potential energy which generates a greater kinetic
energy force if given enough time and space in order to reach maximum
gravitational potential regarding to the force of the object. However, if not given
the sufficient time and space, the object would actually decrease in kinetic energy
as it does not have enough time or space to convert the gravitational potential
energy into kinetic energy - therefore, it the heavier-mass lead ball would
decrease in speed due to the lack of location and time in order to reach maximum
gravitational potential of force as an object.