Calculating Roller Coaster Design for Physics Class

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the necessary speed and angles for a roller coaster design in a high school physics class. The student, using a K'Nex car weighing 3 oz (85.04 g), seeks to determine if the car can clear a loop after a drop of approximately 0.8382 m (2'9"). Key insights include the requirement that the height of the loop must not exceed half the height of the drop. The student requests specific calculations for speed and angle to ensure the design meets physics principles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of physics concepts such as potential and kinetic energy
  • Knowledge of roller coaster dynamics, including loop design
  • Familiarity with K'Nex construction and model building
  • Ability to perform calculations involving height, speed, and angles
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of energy conservation in roller coasters
  • Learn how to calculate the speed of an object at the top of a loop
  • Study the effects of angle on the trajectory of a roller coaster drop
  • Explore previous forum discussions on roller coaster physics for additional insights
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for high school physics students, educators involved in physics curriculum design, and hobbyists interested in roller coaster modeling and design principles.

Shekels
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I have an assignment in my high school physics class to create a roller coaster that has at least one loop and a number of turns and drops. I have been searching the web to find a way to calculate if my car i made of K-Nex weighing 3oz, 85.04g, will have enough speed to clear a loop. The drop is about .8382m high, 2'9'', and i did find on another sight that the top of the loop can't be higher that half of the drop height. I guess i know it will clear the loop but i would like to know how fast it will be going, what angle the drop should be, and how fast the car will be traveling after it does clear the loop, if you have any information that would help me with my task i would apriciate that very much.

thank you very much for your time.

shekels
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF, Shekels.
Try doing a forum search on this subject to start with. There are some pretty good responses to previous threads about it. It seems to be a pretty popular school project these days.
 

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