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Any science/physics geniuses out there? Help need

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Margaret

Margaret Report 15 Oct 2006 11:42

Grand-daughters homework - how does a corkscrew rollercoaster work? We realise this is physics and gravity is involved, but we have failed to find a simple explanation on the internet. Perhaps we are not looking in the right place. Can anyone help with a reasonably simple explanation? Many thanks

Zoe

Zoe Report 15 Oct 2006 11:44

erm - not exactly a genius but it's to do with centrifugal forces PLEASE don't ask me to explain that is I'm at least 16 years past my A level in it and I can't remember any more than that's what its called

nairda1945

nairda1945 Report 15 Oct 2006 11:46

Is that one of those French rollercoasters - that actually take the cork out of the bottle for you - just a silly thought on a sunday morning !! sorry

Zoe

Zoe Report 15 Oct 2006 11:48

bah - centripetal forces!!!! I'm very good at how you set up complex light switches tho!! Lol

Rachel

Rachel Report 15 Oct 2006 12:10

Gravity pulls everything down but the velocity the coster had before entering the corkscrew keeps it moving, the tracks guisde it in the right direction and centrifugal force keeps it spining instead of flying off at a tangent. I think that's right, and hope it makes sence Intresting links http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster.html http://www.howstuffworks.*com/roller-coaster.htm

Margaret

Margaret Report 15 Oct 2006 13:31

Thanks very much everyone. Have managed to email the info from the 'how stuff works site' so hopefully she will now be able to do her homework. Other than asking you folks and emailing the info, I was no use at all !! Thanks again

Janice

Janice Report 15 Oct 2006 13:57

If something is moving in a circular path, it needs a force directed towards the centre of the circle to maintain the direction change (otherwise it would just travel in a straight line). This force is provided by the reaction between the car pushing onto the track and the track pushing back on the car - action and reaction, Newton's 3rd law. The size of the force needed is mass x speed squared / radius of circle, so if there isn't enough speed to maintain this, the car will fall off the rails. Hope this is the right level for the homework question. If not, let me know. Janice