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Name: krys
Status: student
Age: 17
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999
Question:
I need to know what happens in loops, drops, and turns on a rollercoaster using physics formulas like F=ma and through forces acting on rollercoaters when they go through loops, drops, and turns. Ex. why does the first hill have to be the tallest. difference between small and big loops and foces acting on it. what happens to a body in a rollercoaster?

Replies:
I would recommend the following sources:

Escobar, Carole, "Amusement Park Physics'" The Physics Teacher, Volume 28, Number 7, Pages 446-453.

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/app/links.htm

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/app/nau_links.htm

---Nathan A. Unterman


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