Roller Coaster Physics

Roller coasters are a thrill seeking adventure and only the most daring decide to take the ride. Every Spring, amusement parks release the new roller coasters that they have and it keeps getting more extreme. Like the Kingda Ka of New Jersey is 28 seconds of being on the tallest coaster in the world, reaching 456 ft. But here’s the question, “Will there ever be a roller coaster with a hill that is bigger than the first?”. From my point of view, yes. Here’s why. Originally I thought having a second hill would be awesome but doubtful. The reason is clear. Roller coaster have that first and biggest hill because is gives the coasters enough potential and kinetic energy to get through the rest of the track. The also don’t have engines. Yes, they

This is a hard question to answer because I haven‘t tested anything. Although I can use my knowledge of roller coaster physics to make an educated guess. So how does a roller coaster even work? A roller coaster starts off with a launch system and usually goes up a large hill with the lift chain. This hill will give the coaster enough potential and kinetic energy to make it through the whole track. The speed might accelerate or decelerate throughout the track. After the ride is over, the coaster slows down with friction devices and comes to a complete stop. There are so many roller coaster accomplishments that we have had though. The first roller coaster was very wide, very bulky, and probably wasn’t that fast or tall. But look at the roller coasters that we have now! It’s absolutely astonishing how far we’ve become through 132 years. Now we have roller coasters that can go a speed of 82 mph and tracks stretching as far as 1.54 miles! And more innovations to come. Until then, there is more thinking, problem solving, testing, measuring, and most importantly, failing, to do.

In conclusion, I’d say that roller coasters have a big future ahead of them. Someone will come along and make a roller coaster with the most force, the most kinetic energy, and the most speed. When they do I’ll be the first to ride. If it’s a launch system or not, roller coasters will succeed the second hill and make