Roller Coaster Project Report

INTRODUCTION The goal of this group project was to design and build an original paper model marble roller coaster that must be able to transport a marble from start to finish without interruptions. The design had to be unique and thrilling but safe; and the marble must come to a complete stop at the end of the roller coaster. The track should have the following components: at least two hills, one loop and one turn, and if possible a jump.

The purpose of this project was to understand how the elements of physics allow a roller coaster to function. By the end of this, we will be able to distinguish the energy behind a roller coaster and how the laws of physics allow it to stay in motion and guarantee the passengers safety, demonstrated

There were many trial and errors but nonetheless, in the end, the marble rolled from start to end with ease. The marble roller coaster demonstrated elements of physics such as energy, force, and the three Newton laws. At the top of the roller coaster the marble possesses a large quantity of potential energy – because potential energy depends on the mass and the height of the object, the roller coaster began at an elevation to increase its potential energy (GPE = m ⋅ g ⋅ h). Newton’s First Law states that an object at rest stays at rest and object in motion stays in motion unless the object is acted upon an external force, also known as the law of inertia. The marble will not roll down (stays at rest) until it is put in motion by being dropped into the track and pulled down by the force of gravity. As the marble slides down the first drop it will lose much of its potential energy corresponding to the loss of height. The marble subsequently gains kinetic energy – kinetic energy is contingent to the mass and the velocity of an object. The marble speeds up as it loses height, consequently, their potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy. Newton’s Second Law states that an object’s net external force is equal to its mass times its acceleration; simply, the acceleration is proportional to the force applied and also the mass of the object. The acceleration of the marble will change through out the roller coaster as it descends through hills, turns and loops. Newton’s Third Law states that with every external force there is an equal but oppositely directed force occurring. Through out the whole roller coaster the marble is exerting force on to the track, but there is a normal force acting against the marble towards the opposite direction of its weight, this way the marble can stay on the track. As the marble continues, it is continuously gaining and losing height. Each gain in height coincides to the loss of