Dani+and+Danielle

__** GREAT ADVENTURE PROJECT **__

http://www.themeparkreview.com/ppp03/sfgadv/sfgadv2.htm
 * Activity A: The first Drop of a Roller Coaster**
 * Ride: Nitro**

http://www.sixflags.com/greatAdventure/index.aspx
 * Data Collection:**


 * Diagrams:**

FBD of Car on Way Up: FBD of Car on Way Down: FBD of Car at Bottom: FBD of Mass on String on Way Up: FBD of Mass on String on Way Down: FBD of Mass on String at Bottom: Picture from Side of Nitro: http://www.themeparkreview.com/ppp03/sfgadv/sfgadv2.htm

Sketches of Relevant Portion:

Side Sketch: Top Sketch:

Video of Nitro Initial Drop: []

- What safety features were in place? There was a thick lap bar that was shaped like a triangle, which ensures that the rider will stay in place while going down large hills and through turns. Additionally, there were handles on the lap bar so the riders can hold on.
 * Graphs**:
 * Evaluate:**

- Describe the weight sensations on the way up, on the way down, and at the bottom of the first hill. Do you feel lighter, heavier, or normal? On the way up, we felt heavier as we were getting pushed backwards due to the incline angle. On the way down we felt lighter than usual and at the bottom we felt normal.

- Describe the excitement level on the way up, on the way down, and at the bottom of the first hill. On the way up, the excitement level was minimal because there was no acceleration and the carts moved at a slower velocity. On the way down, the excitement level sky-rocketed due to the acceleration, speed, and drop. Finally, at the bottom there was not much noticeable thrill and excitement.

- Describe the thrill factors that may contribute to those feelings. The speed, acceleration, high drops, and anticipation are all factors that contribute to the excitement and thrill of Nitro.


 * Calculate Experimental Values:**

Speed at Bottom of First Hill:

Acceleration Down First Hill: Power Needed to Get Up Hill:


 * Calculate Theoretical Values:**

Speed at Bottom of First Hill: Acceleration Down First Hill: Power Needed to Get Up Hill:


 * Evaluate Accuracy of the 3 Calculations Above:**

Speed: Acceleration: Power:


 * Evaluate Safety:**

Calculate g's on the way down hill and at the bottom of the hill.

Were the g's within safe limits? Yes, the roller coaster was within the safe limit of 4 g's.

Was there correlation between g's and excitement level? Explain, providing evidence. Yes, as the number of g's increase so does the level of thrill/excitement. For example, since there is no acceleration on the way up there would be 0 g's. On the way down, however, (when the ride gets more exciting) the g's begin to increase. This can also be seen in the Thrill vs. Acceleration graph.


 * Thinking About Physics:**


 * 1. Explain the behavior of the mass on the string. Did the FBD of the car correlate to that of the mass? Why or why not?** The mass on the string first would come towards us at the went up the hill. When we reached the top, the mass was even with us and as we were going down the hill the mass was leaning away from us. Yes, the FBD of the car correlates to that of the mass because the mass acts as an aplomb.


 * 2. Did the # of g's correlate to the sensation of weight?** Yes. As the # of g's increases so does the apparent weight.

This graph as a slow initial incline because, due to the slower velocity, the ride covers distance at a slower rate. However, the graph then has a much steeper slope as the cart begins to go down the hill because since speed and acceleration are increasing more distance is covered in a shorter amount of time. Velocity is constant as the cart travels up the hill, but due to the acceleration while going down, velocity increases. At first, there is no acceleration because the cart is traveling at a constant velocity. When the car begins to descend, however, acceleration begins to increase. At first, the thrill is minimal because there is no acceleration. However, when acceleration increases so does the amount of thrill that the rider feels.
 * 3. Discuss the graphs that you created and why they curve the way that they do.**
 * Distance vs. Time:**
 * Velocity vs Time:**
 * Acceleration vs. Time:**
 * Thrill vs. Acceleration:**

PART A: AT THE PARK Side View Picture:
 * Activity B: A Vertical Loop of a Roller Coaster**
 * Ride: Green Lantern**
 * Data Collection:**
 * Diagrams:**

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1076530

Graphs: Evaluate: A) Describe the safety features on this coaster. -The main safety feature on this ride is the huge metal bar that keeps you locked in safely. There are also buckles for extra support. The riders are also not allowed to carry items onto the ride because it could be dangerous. B) Describe the excitement level that you felt at the top, side, and bottom of the loop. - You definitely feel the most excitement at the bottom because that is where the largest amount of g's are. The side of the ride would also be pretty exciting, however there would not be as many g's as there are at the bottom. Although the top of the ride has the least amount of g's the excitement level at the top would be great because you are standing upside down. C) Describe the thrill factors that may contribute to those feelings (besides the #g's) - One of the thrill factors contributed to this ride is that the riders are standing up. Another thing that increases the thrill factor is the height of the ride. D) Describe the weight sensations at the top, side, and bottom of the loop: did you feel lighter, heavier, or normal? - Bottom: heavier - Top: Weightless - Side: Normal Weight

PART B) PART AT SCHOOL

Evaluate Safety: A) #'g's were within safe limits?

- Yes, they are within the safe limits because the number of g's at the top of the loop was 1.056, and this is definitely below the #g's it would take for someone to become ill or pass out.

B) Was there correlation between #g's and excitement level? Explain, provide evidence. - Yes, there was definitely a correlation because when there is the greatest number of g's, which is at the bottom then people scream the loudest at that point because you are accelerating greatly at that part.

Thinking about Physics: a) Explain the behavior of the mass on the string. Did the FBD of the car correlate to that of the mass? Why or why not? -Yes, because that is exactly what happened with the string.

b) Did the #g’s correlate to the sensation of weight? - Yes, because as the number of g's increased the sensation of weight went up.

c) Discuss the graphs that you created and why they curve the way that they do. Centripetal Force vs. Time: Velocity vs. Time: Acceleration vs. Time:
 * As we neared the top, the centripetal force decreased.
 * Velocity decreased towards the top
 * Reached zero at the top
 * Increased after the loop (heading towards the bottom)
 * Negative Acceleration going up the loop
 * Zero Acceleration at top
 * Positive acceleration going down


 * Activity C: A Rotating Ride**
 * Ride: Ferris Wheel**


 * Data:**


 * Diagrams:**

FBD of Car at Min Height: FBD of Car at Max Height: FBD of Mass on String at Max AND Min Height: Sketch of Side View: Sketch of Top View: Side View Picture: http://www.karenandjay.com/trips/sfgradv07/sfgradv07.html

Video: []


 * Graphs:**


 * Evaluate:**

First, the cart itself was enclosed to ensure that people could not fly out of the ride. There were gates surrounding all sides of the ride and seats to sit in within the cart. Finally, seat-belts were installed to further the safety of the ride. Throughout the entire ride, there was not much excitement or thrill at all. The only excitement would be when the rider reaches the maximum position because it is the highest they will be throughout the entire ride. First, the velocity of the ride contributes to the feelings of thrill. Mostly, however, the great height that the ride reaches provides the rider with the most thrill. Since there was not much excitement or change on this ride, the weight sensations felt the same throughout the top, side, and bottom of the ride. However, as the rider gets higher up it begins to feel lighter and lighter.
 * Describe the safety features of the ride.**
 * Describe the excitement level that you feel at max/min height.**
 * Describe the thrill factors that contribute to those feelings.**
 * Describe the weight sensations at the top, side, and bottom of the loop. Did you feel lighter, heavier, or normal?**