Compare And Contrast The Physics Of Roller Coasters

Roller Coasters are an indispensable part of any theme park. From Busch Gardens to Disney, many parks are known for their thrilling and breathtaking rides. People go on Rollercoasters every day on parks throughout the world, but it is not very known how these hulking steel structures work. Roller coasters have a rich history and interesting physics that make them more than meets the eye.

Firstly, how did roller coasters come to be? Well, in it’s earliest form, Roller Coasters were simply ice blocks going down a very steep and large hill. Sand stopped the roller coaster from going too fast. This primitive but innovative design originated from Russia in the early 17th century.(Source 2,9) This was eventually improved by making sleds of wood and iron to make the ride even faster. The first roller coaster similar to the one that we know today was the gravity switchback train in 1884, located in Coney island and produced by a railroad company.(Source 2,10) Disney produced the first steel roller coaster in 1959, and it was able to be a much steeper and winding ride, which was much better than the
previously used wood. (Source 2, 12). Advancements are still being made to this day, with the freefall coaster being a newer invention. Overall roller coasters have developed into the fun rides many people know today. They are still developing to create more thrills.

Roller coasters involve a surplus amount of concepts using microgravity and freefall. Microgravity states that the “effects of gravity are minimized.” (Source 1, 3) This creates a sense of weightlessness. However, the gravitational pull does not change from place to place, instead, one may experience feeling lighter or heavier on some rides. Galileo and Newton developed the concept of freefall used to make roller coasters. The basis of movement in roller coasters is motion. Motion can be defined as the movement of molecules from one area to another. Obviously, this exists in roller coasters and is very prevalent in pretty much any ride.

A good example of physics in action when it comes to roller coasters is the free fall ride.
During a freefall ride the car climbs to the top and the riders are briefly suspended in the air, or so that is what it feels like. Then, suddenly it drops. If the riders all stopped at the same time, varying in weight but the same acceleration, countless injuries would occur. According to Source 2: “The car is attached to this track, which gradually curves towards the ground. A stretch of the straight track allows the car to slow down and brake, producing a controlled top at the bottom, that keeps the passengers from getting injured.” (Source 2, 17) The concept of free fall has allowed us to push roller coasters with large drops, and keep everyone safe. Without the application of freefall and microgravity rollercoasters would be unsafe and would not give us the same
excitement.

Overall, roller coasters have a rich history and interesting physics involved. From the gravity switchback coaster to the steel ones that we know today, it is quite intriguing to see information behind these famous rides. With constant improvements to the design, it is very likely that roller coasters will remain popular for many years to come. Roller coasters have become very complex over the years dues to the advancement of engineering and physics. These thrills are fun and physics based.