The Roller Coaster Model Interactive is an adjustable-size file that displays nicely on smart phones, on tablets such as the iPad, on Chromebooks, and on laptops and desktops. The size of the Interactive can be scaled to fit the device that it is displayed on. The compatibility with smart phones, iPads, other tablets, and Chromebooks make it a perfect tool for use in a 1:1 classroom.

 

This Interactive provides the learner with a rich, interactive environment for studying both energy concepts and Newton's laws concepts for the motion of a roller coaster car. Three pre-made designs are provided - a ramp (or incline), a loop, and a series of hills. The simulation animates the motion of a coaster car along the track designs and displays energy bar charts as the car moves along the track. In addition to the pre-made track designs, learners can create designs of their own by dragging hot spots (small grey circles) to desired locations. The velocity of the car and the gravity (W) and normal (N) force vectors can be displayed as vector arrows; this feature can be toggled on and off.  Finally, friction forces can be added or removed. Learners will quickly observe that the inclusion of frictional forces results in the loss of mechanical energy.

The environment allows a learner to study mechanical energy conservation, mechanical energy dissipation (with friction included), conversion of energy forms from potential to kinetic and vice versa, the effect of forces upon velocity, and centripetal force and tangential velocity along curved paths. Given the wide range of concepts that are addressed by this Interactive, the Roller Coaster Model could be used at just about any stage of a learning cycle in a work-energy unit or a circular motion unit. It also could be used for just about any purpose.

• View Roller Coasters and Energy

Related Resources

• Reading:
  Lesson 2 of  the Work and Energy Chapter and Lessons 1 and 2 of the Circular Motion Chapter of the Tutorial are perfect accompaniments to this Interactive. The following pages will be particularly useful in the early stages of the learning cycle on Work and Energy or on Circular Motion and Newton's Laws:
  
  Analysis of Situations Involving External Forces
  
  Analysis of Situations in Which Mechanical Energy is Conserved
  
  Work-Energy bar Chart Illustrations
  
  Speed and Velocity
  
  Acceleration
  
  The Centripetal Force Requirement
  
  Amusement Park Physics
  
  
   

• Minds On Physics Internet Modules:
  The Minds On Physics Internet Modules include a collection of interactive questioning modules that help learners assess their understanding of physics concepts and solidify those understandings by answering questions that require higher-order thinking. Assignments WE4, WE5, WE6, CG1, CG2, CG3, and CG4 of the Work and Energy and the Circular Motion and Gravitation modules provide great complements to this Interactive. They are best used in the middle to later stages of the learning cycle. Visit the Minds On Physics Internet Modules.
  
   

• Curriculum/Practice: Several Concept Development worksheets at the Curriculum Corner will be very useful in assisting students in cultivating their understanding, most notably ...
  
  Work-Energy Relationships
  Work-Energy Bar Charts
  Energy Concepts
  Speed and Velocity
  Acceleration and Circular Motion
  Circular Motion and Inertia
  The Centripetal Force Requirement
  
  Visit the Curriculum Corner.
  
   
• Labwork: 
  Simulations should always support (never supplant) hands-on learning. The Laboratory section of The Physics Classroom website includes several hands-on ideas that complement this Interactive. Five notable lab ideas include ...
  
  Marble Energy Lab I
  Marble Energy Lab II
  Energy on an Incline Lab
  Loop-the-Loop
  Making the Turn
  
  Visit The Laboratory.

 

• Science Reasoning Activities:
  Science classrooms should be filled with reasoning activities. There is one related activity in the Circular Motion section of the Science Reasoning Center that will challenge students to employ close reading, data analysis, and logical reasoning. The activity is named ...
  
  Roller Coaster Loops
  
  Visit the Science Reasoning Center.

 

Credits