Coaster Dynamics: Introduction



Coaster Dynamics
What is Coaster Dynamics?

Coaster Dynamics is educational software that combines the fun of designing a virtual roller coaster with learning physics.

Coaster Dynamics is a computer simulation game that employs accurate mathematical calculations to model the behavior of a real roller coaster. As a virtual roller coaster designer, you start with a basic track layout and then modify it by changing the types and sizes of track elements. The track elements (vertical loops, corkscrew loops, and hills) are individually scalable, so every track is unique.

Your design goals are for the roller coaster car to make it all the way around the track, and finish with a speed close to zero, while never exceeding a maximum force on the rider of 5 G's. As in real life, these design goals are subject to the laws of physics... and you'll learn that not all track configurations are workable. In the process, you'll come to understand the same design considerations that govern the development of real roller coasters.

Even if you're a roller coaster enthusiast, not looking to learn physics, you'll enjoy the challenge of designing a virtual roller coaster -- and will find yourself learning while having fun at the same time.

The Coaster Lab

Unlike other roller coaster computer games, the focus of
Coaster Dynamics is on the educational potential of roller coasters. This is accomplished with the Coaster Lab -- a set of companion materials that help teach basic concepts in science and physics using Coaster Dynamics as a virtual laboratory for conducting experiments.

First, during the design of your roller coaster,
Coaster Dynamics will provide Design Hints when a problem occurs -- for instance, when the G force in a loop is too large, or the speed is too slow or too fast. The Design Hints will suggest a way to correct the problem, and offer further information which will allow you to calculate a solution to the problem.

Second, the
Coaster Lab includes a set of Coaster Lab Lessons suitable for use in a classroom. The Coaster Lab Lessons are laboratory exercises designed to fit into a typical 50-minute classroom format, and cover basic topics normally included in the study of dynamics and Newtonian Mechanics in a first-semester introductory physics course.

Also, the
Coaster Dynamics Physics Primer is included -- which is a summary guide to the physics of roller coasters. It covers the basic topics 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.

The
Coaster Lab Lessons and Coaster Dynamics Physics Primer can be viewed and/or printed using the web browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape) installed on your computer.

For more information about the
Coaster Lab, or to see the Coaster Lab Lessons or the Coaster Dynamics Physics Primer, click on one of the buttons below.