Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Roller Coaster Hill Design 
Name: Mark
Status: student
Grade: 9-12
Location: NJ
Country: USA
Date: Summer 2011
Question:
How are parabolas used when making roller coasters?
Replies:
Mark-

Parabolas are often the design of the hills of roller coasters. The horizontal velocity of the center of mass of the roller coaster determines the "width" of the parabola. If the path of the center of mass matches the parabolic structure of the roller coaster, the rider is in a controlled free fall and experiences "air time".

---Nathan A. Unterman

Click here to return to the Physics Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory