Need for Speed

Goal: At the end of this WebQuest students will gain knowledge of an application of mathematics in building a roller coaster.

Objectives: 

1. Students will investigate early roller coasters in the United States.
2. Students will be required to select 5 them parks and complete assigned research.
3. Students should be able to calculate the assigned data.
4. Students should be able to complete simulation provided by a link.

Grade Level: 11-12 Grade

Task 1:   Research and record data on both 3 early roller coasters locations and compare the materials used then to the materials used now.

Task 2:  Select 5 theme parks in the United States and provide the following information:

• park name
• name of roller coaster
• height of coaster
• speed of coaster
• length of ride

Task 3: Calculate the following: 

• the time duration of the roller coaster ride
• the average acceleration for each roller coaster
• the distance
• rate of speed and the time duration
• the acceleration and how does it relate to roller coaster thrill

Task 4:  Go to the website: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster to perform simulations.  Write a detailed description of what you do at the website.

Step 1

Look up 3 early roller coasters in the United States.  Then determine what the material was used to build the roller coasters.  Research if the material that was used in the past is used today. Make a chart.

Name of the roller coaster	Material used	Is the material still used today? Y/N

Conclusion:

Question 1: Historically speaking what makes roller coasters so popular?

Historically and even today there are people called thrill seekers who like to find ways to shock and excite themselves.  Roller coasters were and are a way to defy gravity and speed.  In the early days of roller coasters probably the fact that the roller coaster was new helped its popularity.  It was something different that gave people a couple minutes of thrill and excitement.  Some people like to give their money to be scared because they feel excited and alive when the get off a roller coaster. Roller coasters took them away from their everyday life for just a couple of seconds and gave them an adventure. The adventure in which today by new ways of building and structuring roller coasters have made them even more popular. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_coasters

According to the website: http://www.teachingtools.com/GoFigure/FlyerCarpets.htm roller coasters have evolved because designers have added more twists, drops and even loops. Roller coasters started out wooden and then eventually were made of steel.  Today roller coasters are built with both wood and steel.  The roller coasters of today are more complex with added thrills and themes compared to the roller coasters of the past.  The original plain roller coaster of yesterday pails in comparison to the big expansive, thrill seeker of today but this is normal due to the technology of today as compared to the technology of long ago.  Steel Roller coasters offer a smoother, taller and faster ride.  Steel Roller coasters are more up keep and maintenance than wooden roller coasters.  The wooden roller coasters of today are now pre-fabricated so this is bringing back there popularity because this gives them the characteristics of the steel roller coasters.  The cars of today on a roller coaster are not self powered they need a standard full circuit to be pulled with a chain to lift to the first peak of the roller coaster track.  Roller coasters cars are made of wood or steel and have been upgraded in time because of new techniques and technology but still have the same concept as the roller coaster cars of yesterday.

Question 3:  What are some of the theme parks in the US that have roller coasters?  What are the popular roller coasters of theses sights?

Some of the theme parks that have roller coaster are Walt Disneyworld in Florida that has popular coasters such as: Rock n Roller coaster, Revenge of the Mummy, Barnstormer, Big Thunder Railroad and Space Mountain. In Disneyland, California the park has roller coasters, Gadget’s Go Coaster, Matter horn Bobsleds and Space Mountian.  In Hershey, Pennsylvania they have popular roller coasters such as, Twin Toboggans, Wildcat, Super Soaker and Lightning Racer.
Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey has popular roller coasters, Lightning Loops, Rolling Thunder, Nitro, Viper and Great American Scream Machine. Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania has popular roller coasters, Hercules, Talon, Laser, Steel Force and Woodstock Express.
http://www.coastergallery.com/

Question4:  What are the safety considerations when designing a roller coaster?

One of the most important aspects designers pay attention to are when designing a roller coaster are acceleration they like it to be fast without a lot of jerking for the rider.  Also, I have learned in a building simulation of a roller coaster a couple of points about building a successful roller coaster such as: The height of the first hill must be the highest so that your coaster can get the maximum possible energy for the rest of the ride. Also, the second loop must be smaller so it will have the maximum possible energy for the rest of the ride. Loops are elliptical because circular loops have not been done safely yet. The slopes of the roller coaster must be curved at the bottom for the first slope because it will give maximum energy for the rest of the ride and give it a safe exit path.  A low slope for an exit path does the same for the roller coaster as the curved slope. The speed of the engine of a roller coaster varies in speed according to the roller coaster. All of these considerations, physics and maintenance of the roller coasters help to provide the safety of the roller coasters.
http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster/

Question 5:  What is the distance, rate of speed, and the time duration for the different roller coasters?