Help
about:
|
The Coaster Lab: Classroom Resources
|
The
Coaster Lab
is a set of companion materials to
Coaster Dynamics
that help teach basic concepts in science and physics using your computer as a virtual laboratory for conducting experiments.
There are 3 components to the
Coaster Lab Classroom Resources:
Design Hints,
Coaster Lab Lessons,
and the
Coaster Dynamics Physics Primer.
|
Design Hints
During the ride simulation for your roller coaster track,
Coaster Dynamics
will stop and provide
Design Hints
whenever a problem occurs. This will happen if:
- the instantaneous G force exceeds the limit of 5 G's,
- the car begins to go backwards, or
- the speed at the end of the track is greater than 5 m/s (11 mph).
When stopped, you can simply try changing the track, as suggested, or you can select the "Tell Me More" option -- which will provide further information allowing you to calculate a solution to the problem.
After making your changes to the track, simply begin the ride again to test your modifications.
If you want to turn the
Design Hints
off, click on the "Options" button in the
Coaster Dynamics
Main Menu, and click "Off" next to "Track Design Hints".
|
Coaster Lab Lessons
The
Coaster Lab Lessons
are classroom exercises which utilize
Coaster Dynamics
as a virtual physics laboratory. Each lesson is designed to fit into a typical 50-minute classroom format, and cover basic topics in physics needed to understand how roller coasters work. The lessons are presented in an order typically taught in a first-semester Introductory Physics course.
To see the
Coaster Lab Lessons,
select the "Coaster Lab Lessons" button from the "Coaster Lab" option window.
Answers to the
Coaster Lab Lessons
are available to registered users of
Coaster Dynamics.
The answer sets can be viewed by selecting the "Coaster Lab Answers" button. To access the answers, you will need to enter a Software License Password -- which can be obtained by paying a Software License Fee and becoming a registered
Coaster Dynamics
user. Please note that
Coaster Dynamics
is a shareware product. With the exception of the
Coaster Lab Answers,
you can freely use
Coaster Dynamics
for evaluation purposes.
To print a hardcopy of the
Coaster Lab Lessons,
use the print feature of your web browser.
|
Coaster Dynamics Physics Primer
The
Coaster Dynamics Physics Primer
is a summary guide to the physics of roller coasters. It covers the fundamental topics in Newtonian Mechanics required to understand and analyze roller coaster motion. It is an excellent supplemental resource which can be used in conjunction with a comprehensive physics textbook.
To see the
Coaster Dynamics Physics Primer,
select the "Physics Primer" button from the "Coaster Lab" option window.
To print a hardcopy of the
Coaster Dynamics Physics Primer,
use the print feature of your web browser.
|