Curated OER
Falling Water
Students drop water from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy. They see how varying the height from which water is dropped affects the splash size. In seeing how falling water can...
Curated OER
Gravity, Forces, and Inertia
Learners participate in assessments involving gravity, forces, and inertia. They select from a menu of options assessments they would like to complete including worksheets, drawing posters, watching videos, creating crossword puzzles,...
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-The Gadget War
Students read The Gadget War by Betsy Duffey. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding inventors and inventions. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library connections.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Centripetal Force: Roller Coaster Loops
This video segment explains centripetal force and illustrates how roller coasters rely on it to give you a thrilling ride. Includes background reading material and discussion questions. [4:40]
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Roller Coaster Marbles: How Much Height to Loop the Loop?
This is a really fun project even if you don't like going on roller coasters yourself. You'll build a roller coaster track for marbles using foam pipe insulation and masking tape, and see how much of an initial drop is required to get...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Roller Coaster
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the conservation of energy in the context of a roller coaster.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Physics of Roller Coasters
Learners explore the physics utilized by engineers in designing today's roller coasters, including potential and kinetic energy, friction, and gravity. First, students learn that all true roller coasters are completely driven by the...
NC State University
The Engineering Place: Roller Coasters [Pdf]
A lesson where learners construct a roller coaster and test it under different conditions to learn about force and motion.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Circular and Satellite Motion: Roller Coaster Model
An interactive playground for students to explore the physics of roller coasters. Learners investigate by changing the variables of force, velocity, friction, and vectors. Energy bar charts are displayed as the coaster car moves along...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Roller Coaster Energy
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Some prefer the front seat, some prefer the back seat and others prefer to not even board a roller coaster at the amusement park. What is the science that makes...
Other
Hstry: Roller Coaster Design Brief Template
Interactive site by STEM teacher Mariana Garcia-Serrato in a lesson on physics in which students design, budget for and analyze their own roller coasters.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Amusement Park Physics: Roller Coaster
Learn about Newton's Laws of Physics, g-force, the causes of motion sickness, and more by reading about different rides at an amusement park.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Design a Roller Coaster
An interactive lesson where students design and build their own virtual roller coaster. Choose the height of the hills. the shape of the hills. and loop to find out if you successfully used physics concepts to pass the safety and fun...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Amusement Park Physics: Roller Coaster
This interesting and interactive exhibit demonstrates how Newton's Laws of Motion impact the design and safety of roller coasters.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Circular, Satellite, Rotational: Roller Coaster G Forces
Roller coaster rides are notorious for creating accelerations and g-forces. The magnitude and direction of normal force and gravity during the motion through a coaster's loop are depicted this animation.
Other
Six Flags: Great Adventure: Green Lantern Roller Coaster
Learn the facts about one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the world.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Work and Energy: Energy Transformation on Roller Coasters
Using a roller coaster as an example, the transformation of mechanical energy from the form of potential to the form of kinetic and vice versa is explained and illustrated in the animation.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Building Roller Coasters
In this hands-on activity students learn about the laws of physics by creating a marble roller coaster.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Loop the Loop
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the centripetal motion in the context of a roller coaster going through a loop-the-loop and over a hill.
Other
My Physics Lab: Roller Coaster
Create a simplified roller coaster with this simulation by creating a track shape for a ball to travel on. Students can change gravity and damping. Site includes equations to help students understand what is happening in the simulation.
Other
Funderstanding: Roller Coaster Game
Design your own thrilling coaster and learn about energy and friction.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Circular and Satellite Motion: Amusement Park Physics
In this interactive module, students explore the centripetal acceleration experienced by riders within the circular-shaped sections of a roller coaster track.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Amusement Park Physics: The Principles of Free Fall
An article describing free fall principles in roller coaster rides. In addition to the explanation of free fall, an experiment is described that allows you to test free fall with a cup of water. Part of a larger presentation on roller...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Converting Potential Energy to Kinetic Energy
If you'd like to investigate the physics of amusement park rides, then this project is for you. You'll build a roller coaster track for marbles using foam pipe insulation and masking tape, and see how much the marble's potential energy...
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