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Potential
and Kinetic Energy |
Centripetal Forces |
Forces
on a Coaster |
Loop Design |
Bibliography |
Photo: http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/roller-coaster7.htm |
When designing
the layout of a coaster track, all features have to
consider if the cart can pass through without much
trouble and complete the track without suddenly
slowing down. To do this, all part of the train of
cart must be observed. You have to remember that the
coasters are a train of multiple carts and each cart
is not experiencing the same forces as others and this
may affect how the train of cart performs on the
track. This is shown in the picture as one cart feels
forces downwards, while an other feels it mostly
upwards. Each force jars at part of the cart in
different direction. These forces can slow down the
coaster and the loss would need to be considered later
on in the track to make sure the coaster reaches the
end. If these forces are not considered, the coaster
may not function properly as it coasts through the
track and may not function correctly. This can lead to
problems later on such as rapid degradation of part on
the coaster that can lead to accidents. |