Other
Fear of Physics: Roller Coaster
Use animation and other interactive strategies to help understand physics principles. Change the track and height to see if your ball can make it to the end.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: This Is How We Roll!
Students take on the role of engineers who need to design a roller coaster. They will explore the history of roller coasters, the different types, and the many things that can affect the success or failure of a roller coaster. Finally,...
Other
Rcdb: Disney World: Attractions: Expedition Everest
Learn about this impressive roller coaster in the "Asia" section of the Disney World Theme Park.
Read Works
Read Works: Up to Speed
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the science behind roller coasters, including Kingda Ka, one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the world. A question sheet is available to help students build...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Circular and Satellite Motion: Amusement Park Physics
In this interactive module, students explore the centripetal acceleration experienced by riders within the circular-shaped sections of a roller coaster track.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Speed and Velocity
In this investigation, young scholars will work in groups to design a model roller coaster, which will be used to clock the fastest speed for the rider (ball bearing/marble) The groups will build roller coaster models and modify and...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Amusement Park Physics: The Principles of Free Fall
An article describing free fall principles in roller coaster rides. In addition to the explanation of free fall, an experiment is described that allows you to test free fall with a cup of water. Part of a larger presentation on roller...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: Natl Historic Landmarks in California: Mission Beach Roller Coaster
one of only 2 remaining wooden coasters on the West coast, it was built in 1925 by noted coaster builders Prior and Church. It was saved from destruction in 1987, restored, and is still operating today.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Conservation of Energy of a Rollercoaster Using High Speed Video
Students use high speed video to determine whether a roller coaster is an example of a system in which mechanical energy is conserved. The activity is intended to give students experience extracting data from video clips, and using...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Crystal Beach, Ontario
Crystal Beach in Fort Erie, Ontario was, until 1989, the home to an amusement park and a famous roller coaster, the Crystal Beach Cyclone. Information is provided on the history of this popular Ontario vacation spot.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Centripetal Force
What keeps you in your seat of a giant loop-de-loop roller coaster? Surprisingly, it is not the seatbelt but the seat. It works because of something called centripetal force and it does much more than make a great roller coaster. In this...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy of Motion
By taking a look at the energy of motion all around us, students learn about the types of energy and their characteristics. They first learn about the two simplest forms of mechanical energy: kinetic and potential energy, as illustrated...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Pushing It Off a Cliff
Lesson 2 moves into the Research and Revise step and focuses on the conservation of energy solely between gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy. Students start out with a virtual laboratory, and then move into the notes and...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Skate Park Energy
Using computer simulation, students will explore the concept of conservation of energy at a skate park. After the completion of that exercise, students will move to a worksheet about the concepts with a roller coaster. Site includes...
Curated OER
May the Force Be With You
Students explore the science behind thrill rides, including the physics of a roller coaster, human emotions, and physiological effects on the body. A related article is accessible through free registration.
Unite for Literacy
Unite for Literacy: Technology: Hold On!
A book about riding a rollercoaster. Book includes audio narration in nine additional languages with text in English.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Matching Quadratics Equations With Pictures!
Students will submit equations in vertex form that will match the roller coaster using activity center. They will also find the intersection point of two roller coasters.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Amusement Park Ride: Ups and Downs in Design
This unit has students design and build foam tubing roller coasters. The design process integrates energy concepts as they test and evaluate their designs that address the task as an engineer would. The goal is for students to understand...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Circular and Satellite Motion: Speed and Velocity
In this interactive module, describe and explain the motion of objects that either move in circles or can be approximated to be moving in circles. Kinematic concepts and motion principles will be applied to the motion of objects in...
ABCya
Ab Cya: Make a Treehouse
Design the treehouse of your dreams with ABCya's Make a Treehouse! Choose from tree types, wood varieties and more. Would you like to build a house in a rainbow eucalyptus tree? No problem! How about a roller coaster entrance, and a...
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