Coaster Dynamics: Coaster Lab #9



Coaster Dynamics
Coaster Lab

Lesson #9:   Circular Motion:   Do the Bunny Hop

TOPICS:   Circular Motion and Centripital Force.

1.   Starting with the default track configuration in Coaster Dynamics, change the track elements to the following types and sizes:

        Segment 1 = Spiral Hill = 40 m
        Segment 2 = Round Loop = 38 m
        Segment 3 = Camelback Hill = 14/10 m
        Segment 4 = Hill = -12 m
        Segment 5 = Camelback Hill = 14/10 m.

For maxmimum excitement, Camelback Hills are usually designed to have a force of -1.0 G (simulates free fall) at each hilltop. For added fun, more than two hills are often grouped together to form a series of "Bunny Hop" hills. For the Camelback Hill in track Segment 5, try changing the two hill heights until you find values that result in a force of -1.0 G at the top of each hill. What are the velocities at the hilltops?





2.   If we characterize the motion over a hilltop as circular motion, using the equation for centripital force,

        Fc = (mv²)/(R)
        Fg = (Fc)/(mg)

calculate the "effective radius of curvature" for the two hilltops above. Compare the effective radius of curvature to the length of each hill.




























3.   In most real roller coasters, loops are typically placed soon after the lift hill, and any "Bunny Hop" hills are placed near the end of the ride. Based on your analysis above of the effective radius of curvature, why might this be so?















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