Calculating Thrill Ride Velocity Using Potential and Kinetic Energy

[moonman239]

I have a question. Would it be possible to calculate the velocity of a thrill ride at any given time, given the rate of change in g-forces and the velocity of the ride at the start (or if there's a hill at the start, the velocity of the car going uphill)?

 

[russ_watters]

Using the height of the hill, you can calcuate the velocity at any other known height by converting potential energy to kinetic.

G-forces won't help you with anything because they are perpendicular to the direction of motion...unless you have the radius of the turns.