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Physics Involved in the SKYCOASTER - IT'S NOT HANG GLIDING BUT CLOSE - IT'S NOT SKY DIVING - BUT CLOSE - IT'S THE THRILL OF YOUR LIFE. Seth Augustover Two-Way Conference Presentation 10/22/2005 EDIT 652. Outline. Introduction Freefall & Gravity G-Forces Potential vs Kinetic Energy
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Physics Involved in the SKYCOASTER - IT'S NOT HANG GLIDING BUT CLOSE - IT'S NOT SKY DIVING - BUT CLOSE - IT'S THE THRILL OF YOUR LIFE Seth Augustover Two-Way Conference Presentation 10/22/2005 EDIT 652
Outline • Introduction • Freefall & Gravity • G-Forces • Potential vs Kinetic Energy • Centripetal Force • Centrifugal Force • What is the Skycoaster? • Skycoaster Video • Conclusion
Introduction • There is no reason to be scared of any amusement park ride. • All precautions taken are aimed to counter act the forces of any of the natural physics that act upon it. • These precautions include but are not limited to lap belts and shoulder restraints • Some rides that even go upside down DO NOT need any restraints other than a chair, but are only put there to calm the minds of the riders.
Freefall & Gravity • Gravity is a constant acceleration towards the Earth's surface of 9.8 m/s2. • Gravity is the only force acting on an object that is in free fall. • Objects of all masses fall at the same rate. • Elephant or Rock http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/mmedia/newtlaws/efff.html
G-Forces • G-forces measure the force you feel within Earth's gravitational field. • At 1 G, you feel your normal weight • as you would feel standing on the ground. • In zero G, you feel as though you have no weight at all. • During a free-fall ride or a sudden drop on an elevator, you may begin to experience this sensation. • At higher G's, you feel increasingly squashed in your seat. • An elevator as it begins going up or around a roller coaster loop http://science.nasa.gov/msl1/ground_lab/msl1whee.htm
Potential vs Kinetic Energy • Potential Energy • think of a compressed spring • Kinetic Energy • actual moving energy • Potential Energy converts to Kinetic Energy • Roller coasters can move faster than 100 m.p.h. without even having an engine • Cars are pulled up the first hill, but then the coaster completes the ride on its own. • Potential energy converts to kinetic energy as gravity pulls the cars down the hill • Coaster completes the ride http://www.howstuffworks.com/animation17.htm • Credit: http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0906/p18s02-hfks.html
Centripetal Force • Centripetal Force is a force pushing an object toward the center of a curve. • It is required to keep an object in motion to remain in motion around a curve • The moon orbits the earth in a circular motion • In a roller coaster loop, riders are pushed inwards toward the center of the loop • car seat (at the loop's bottom) and by • gravity (at the loop's top). • Credit: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/glossary.html • http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/mmedia/circmot/rcd.html
Centrifugal Force • Centrifugal Force is a force pushing an object away from the center of the curve. • To keep an object moving in a circular path, centrifugal force is always equal in magnitude but opposite in direction from centripetal force. • In a roller coaster loop, centrifugal force keeps the rider pushed down into his seat. As the speed increases seat restraints would not be necessary. Credit: http://regentsprep.org/Regents/ physics/phys06/bcentrif/centrif.htm
What is the Skycoaster? • Amusement Rides such as the Skycoaster make a pendulum motion which incorporate all of the terms mentioned • Skycoaster is the world’s tallest free-fall ride • Riders are placed in special flight suits fastened to steel cables that can hold up to 9,000 lbs each. • They are pulled up to the top of the tower at the height of 300 feet. • They pull their own ripcord starting their plunge downward toward for 120 feet straight down, then the cables gently catch them • Reaches speeds of 85 mph.
Skycoaster Video • Watch the video • Identify when the different forces we talked about are displayed
Conclusion • Amusement Rides such as the Skycoaster is extremely popular because of the amount of Physics acting on it at anytime. • Now we can identify all the forces involved in amusement park rides and we could explain why or why not going on these rides is safe.