Roller Coaster Physics By: Allen Scurlock

The Paper The physics of Roller Coasters My driving question: How does the science of Physics affect a person throughout a roller coaster?

The Paper My thesis statement: The concepts of physics are displayed on roller coasters in the form of inertia, friction, g forces, velocity, potential and kinetic energy, and inversions.

Some Things I learned Kinetic Energy Potential Energy Inertia Centripetal Force Velocity G Forces

The Paper What I found out: I found out during this journey that centrifugal “force” is actually not a real force, it is just an effect. Focused on the physics of inversions.

Pictures of Inversions

My Product Build a paper roller coaster model and teach a class using the model. Show teaching PowerPoint: Roller Coaster Physics Teaching powerpoint..ppt

My Product How/When: Used templates Had to find time at school Had experience already. Used Wikispace to document pictures and my work during the project. Show Wikispace.

Pictures of my Teaching

My Product Mentor: Mrs. Whitfield Physical Science Teacher

Connections My paper was on the physics of roller coasters My product was a paper roller coaster model

Successes/Challenges Finished the paper and product Learned more in-depth physics dealing with roller coasters Got to do a topic I enjoy talking about. Enjoyed what I got to do. Used WikiSpace for the first time Overcoming Procrastination. Hard work but worth it. Hard to work on the product because it was at school for most of the time. Hard a hard time choosing a topic at first.

Future Applications I currently want to be a Nurse. The project has helped me learn to use hard work to achieve a goal.