Questions and Answers
What does the traditional roller coaster use?
A lift chain
What's the significance of the stop height principle?
Galileo -- stop height = roller coasters can't go higher than the first hill
What happens with a positive G force?
Blood feels heavier, can't pump blood to the brain, can blackout
What is a G-force?
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Which G-force is an increased weight?
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Which G-force is a decreased weight?
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What's the limit for positive G forces?
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What's the limit for negative G forces?
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When do you experience positive Gs?
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When do you experience negative Gs?
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What happens with a negative G force?
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What happens at 4 G?
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What happens at 6 G?
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What happens at 10 G?
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What happens at 14 G?
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How do roller coasters work?
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How many G forces do we experience daily?
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How many G forces do stunt pilots experience?
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How do stunt pilots not pass out?
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What's the maximum G force for amusement parks?
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Why do we enjoy roller coasters?
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What are the three sets of wheels on a roller coaster?
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What are running wheels?
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What are up stop wheels?
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What are friction wheels?
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What are different ways roller coasters are made now?
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How safe are roller coasters?
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Why is there wear and tear on roller coasters?
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Define friction.
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Why doesn't all the potential energy of the coaster become kinetic energy?
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What is the law of conservation energy?
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Explain the energy conversions that take place on a roller coaster and explain how energy is conserved.
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Study Notes
Roller Coaster Mechanics
- Traditional roller coasters utilize a lift chain to elevate the cars.
- The stop height principle, established by Galileo, dictates roller coasters cannot exceed the height of the first hill.
G-Forces in Roller Coasters
- Positive G-force creates a sensation of increased weight; blood feels heavier, potentially causing blackouts due to reduced blood flow to the brain.
- Negative G-force results in a sense of decreased weight; blood feels lighter, which can lead to a "red out" effect due to excess blood flow to the brain.
G-Force Limits and Experience
- Maximum tolerable positive G-force is 4 G, leading to a fourfold increase in body weight.
- Maximum tolerable negative G-force is 1/2 G.
- Positive G-forces are primarily experienced at the bottom of hills and during loops.
- Negative G-forces occur at the peaks of hills.
Effects and Risks of G-Forces
- At 6 G, physical damage like nosebleeds can occur.
- At 10 G, individuals may lose consciousness.
- At 14 G, there is a risk of fatal consequences.
Energy Transformations
- Roller coasters convert potential energy into kinetic energy as the lift chain raises the cars, with gravity taking over once the drop begins.
- Daily life generally involves experiencing around 1 G of force; stunt pilots may endure 8-10 G due to maneuvering.
- Stunt pilots prevent loss of consciousness by tightening their muscles.
Roller Coaster Safety and Construction
- Amusement parks maintain a maximum of 4 positive Gs for safety standards.
- Roller coasters are routinely inspected for safety features, ensuring regular maintenance to manage wear and tear from Newton's Third Law.
- Modern roller coasters may utilize electromagnet systems for acceleration or compressed air.
Wheel Systems on Roller Coasters
- Running wheels are positioned above track rails to support and guide cars.
- Up stop wheels, mounted beneath tracks, prevent cars from derailing when upside down.
- Friction wheels, located inside the track, prevent sideways derailment.
Physics of Motion and Energy Conservation
- Friction is the force opposing motion between two surfaces, impacting energy transformation.
- Not all potential energy converts to kinetic energy; some is lost as thermal and sound energy due to friction.
- The law of conservation of energy states energy cannot be created or destroyed, maintaining the total energy within the system constant.
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Description
Explore the fascinating mechanics and physics behind roller coasters, including the principles of G-forces and their effects on riders. Understand how traditional designs and forces at play influence the overall experience and safety of roller coasters.