Kapunan 1

Elisa Kapunan
Thornton/Morrison
Science/English
14 April 2016
A Thrilling Biography of the Roller Coaster
Currently, millions of people ride roller coasters at theme parks located in the United States,
which come in many different designs, shapes, sizes and colors. One reason millions of people
gather at amusement parks every year is to enjoy the freedom of acting recklessly, in which roller
coasters are the main attraction. Roller coasters are the central fascination in theme parks
worldwide because they give the public the power to release stress or to simply have the time of
their lives; these exhilarating attractions have been in use for many years, they manage extremely
well due to the wonders of physics, and they are very secure.
The history of roller coasters is quite intriguing, evolving from simple slides to the steel
coasters of today. In the 16th century, the worlds first rollercoaster came to be as a giant ice slide
in Russia with sleds made from large blocks of ice. These sleds were later upgraded, being
assembled with wood and built with iron runners to boost their speeds (Roller Coaster
History). Beginning in the 19th century, the idea of the roller coaster was improved upon. A
prime example of one of the many components that were added was the loop. The first coaster to
include a loop was located in Frascati Gardens in Paris, France, with a height of 43 feet and a 13foot-wide loop (History of the Roller Coaster). Eventually in 1875, Americas amusement park
history began. At Coney Island, parks were established at the end of railway lines by railway
companies as a way of preserving customer usage on the weekends by offering forms of
entertainment. The first rides to be featured were carousels; however in 1884, the gravity

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switchback train was invented becoming the first true United States roller coaster (Roller
Coaster History). In the 1920s, there was a large spread of roller coasters ranging anywhere
between 1,500 to 2,000 coasters. This increase was a result of the Electric Parks by Frederick
Ingersoll that became available to Americans nationwide. Unfortunately, the Great Depression
and World War II in the 1930s caused a decline in the amusement park industry for the
escalating cost of insurance, and an uncompromising lack of raw materials left countless roller
coasters on the brink of destruction (History of the Roller Coaster). Finally, the new age for
roller coaster design arose. In 1955, Disneyland, Americas first theme park, opened,
encouraging the use of progressive roller coaster configurations (Roller Coaster History).
Here, when the Matterhorn Bobsled ride was introduced, the era of contemporary steel roller
coasters began. By the 1990s, more than 200 significant roller coasters were in use in the United
States (Roller Coaster). This decade saw the accumulation of faster and scarier coasters such as
the Superman: Escape from Krypton ride located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia,
California (History of the Roller Coaster). Still in operation today, this coaster, consisting of
1,315 feet of track, launches passengers in reverse, going from 0 to 100 miles per hour in seven
seconds. Riders are taken straight up the track at 90 degrees to a height of 415 feet, experiencing
total weightlessness for 6.5 seconds and plummeting down at 92 miles per hour (Superman).
As time passes, more new and improved roller coasters will come to be including features like
numerous inversions and the ability to catapult customers at 100 miles per hour in less than 2
seconds (History of the Roller Coaster). From simple ice slides to present-day roller coasters
made of steel, these rides have greatly impacted the entertainment industry throughout the years
and will continue to evolve as the years go by.

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While passengers zip through the numerous twists and turns roller coasters provide, many
do not think about how the laws of physics make these rides possible. To put it simply, roller
coasters are trains powered by gravity and momentum (Harris). In order to build up this
momentum, coaster cars are brought to the peak of the lift hill, a roller coasters first hill, by a
chain lift. As the rollercoaster proceeds to climb higher into the air, it creates stored energy,
otherwise known as potential energy (Roller Coasters). Once the coaster reaches the top of its
first hill, the force of gravity pulls it downwards, releasing its initial store of potential energy and
converting it into kinetic energy, the energy of motion (Wysession, Frank, and Yancopoulos 460).
At distinct areas of the track, there are various levels of potential and kinetic energy. For
instance, the maximum potential energy of a roller coaster is at the top of its first lift hill because
it is at its highest point. At the bottom of the hill or at a roller coasters lowest point, there is
maximum kinetic energy and little to no potential energy (Harris). Over the course of the ride, a
coasters total mechanical energy, the sum of the potential energy and the kinetic energy,
progressively decreases (Wysession, Frank, and Yancopoulos 460). This change takes place as a
result of some of the initial potential energy being depleted by friction when the wheels rub
against the track. Air resistance and the rattling noise the roller coaster makes also contribute to
this loss of energy (Woodford). Friction allows a rollercoasters mechanical energy to transform
into heat (Wysession, Frank, and Yancopoulos 460) and, because coasters do not have engines,
the potential energy from the beginning of the ride cannot be restored, thus bringing the coaster
to a stop (Woodford). Thanks to the wondrous laws of physical science, roller coasters are made
a thrilling reality, continuing to gain millions of supporters worldwide.
Not everyone can explore active volcanoes or swim with sharks; however, we can all ride
rollercoasters as a safer alternative so that we may also experience a considerable rush of

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adrenaline. To make sure these exhilarating rides are reliable and intact, safety features are
installed in all coasters so that possible cases of injury and death are eliminated. One of the many
mechanical safety aspects of the roller coaster is compressed air brakes. Once a coaster finishes,
brakes with compressed air are utilized so that passengers may safely exit the ride (Dawe). On a
track there are certain places where the kinetic energy of a roller coaster wears out (Pieta). These
points, which are a part of a block system, are designated to slow down a coaster or bring it to
a stop with the purpose of hindering redundant g-forces from hurting riders (Pieta; Dawe).
Another critical safety feature of the roller coaster is the safety chain dog. This invention, created
by a pioneer in roller coaster safety named John Miller, was made to prevent coaster cars from
plunging backwards down precipitous hills (Dawe). Unfortunately in 1999, the Wild Wonder in
Gillians Wonderland Pier located in New Jersey lost traction while drawing near its peak and
plummeted 30 feet backwards towards a sharp curve (12 Deadliest). This action resulted in a
woman with her 8-year-old daughter dreadfully being thrown out of the coaster to their deaths.
Unluckily, the duos tragic demise ensued due to the drag chain being released in an untimely
fashion. Simultaneously, the safety chain dog, which was supposed to restrain the roller coaster
from falling backwards, failed to work accordingly for unknown reasons (McFadden). The
destructive consequences brought by this ride confirm the importance of a properly functioning
safety chain dog. Physics also plays a tremendous role in keeping roller coaster fans safe during
a ride. For example, when a coaster speeds up, the force that affects riders is the seat pushing
them forward. However, because of inertia they remain in their seats, repeatedly feeling the push
of acceleration approaching from the opposite direction of the real force accelerating them
(Harris). Additionally, when passengers go through a loop, they move at a constant speed with
the acceleration being characterized as centripetal (Roller Coasters and Amusement). Motion

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along a curved path generates centripetal acceleration that points to the middle of a nonexistent
circle represented by the curve. The loop-the-loop of a roller coaster poses as somewhat of a
centrifuge, similar to a merry-go-round. Like a merry-go-round, the inertial velocity of
passengers is based immediately in front of them, however in a roller coaster, a revolving dais is
replaced by a track that stops coaster cars and riders from being carried along a straight course
(Harris). With the bodies of riders wanting to continue on an undeviating route, incorporated
with centripetal acceleration, the sensation of being pushed outwards is developed (Palmer). This
outward inertia allows people to remain in their seats, even when they are upside down. In other
words, passengers will safely stay put in their seats during a loop-the-loop with either the
presence or absence of safety harnesses (Harris). For the common man who craves the daredevil
experience without a high risk of injury, roller coasters serve as more secure options, of course
with the appearance of sufficient safety features.
The evolution of roller coasters, along with their physics and safety features, make up
some of the worlds most popular forms of thrilling entertainment, proving to present passengers
with much enjoyment or having the ability to alleviate stress. Roller coasters have come a long
way, from 16th century ice slides built in Russia to the large, speedy steel coasters of present-day.
The physics of these electrifying rides make numerous loops, corkscrews, and sharp turns
attainable. As luck would have it, gravity, momentum, and energy exist on this Earth allowing for
roller coasters to function successfully. Furthermore, physics also contributes to the safety of
roller coaster enthusiasts along with the various safety mechanisms installed in these coasters.
Ultimately, every year when millions of people visit amusement parks, it is almost always
because of the roller coaster.

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Works Cited
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2016.
Dawe, Trisha. Roller Coaster Safety Features. ehow.com. Web. 10 April 2016.
Harris, Tom. How Roller Coasters Work. howstuffworks.com. 9 August 2007. Web. 9 April
2016.
History of the Roller Coaster- Infographic. areavibes.com. Web. 10 April 2016.
McFadden, Robert. Roller Coaster Hurtles Wrong Way, Killing 2. nytimes.com. 30 August
1999. Web. 10 April 2016.
Palmer, Roxanne. Roller Coaster Science: Thrills, Chills, and Physics.
worldsciencefestival.com. 19 June 2015. Web. 10 April 2016.
Pieta, Britney. Roller Coasters- Behind the Scenes Safety Features.
nationalcprcorp.wordpress.com. 2 July 2012. Web. 10 April 2016.
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Roller Coaster History. learner.org. Web. 10 April 2016.
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Roller Coasters and Amusement Park Physics. physicsclassroom.com. Web. 10 April 2016.
Superman: Escape from Krypton. sixflags.com. Web. 10 April 2016.
Woodford, Chris. Rollercoasters. explainthatstuff.com. 18 July 2015. Web. 10 April 2016.
Wysession, Michael, David Frank, and Sophia Yancopoulos. Physical Science: Concepts in
Action. New Jersey: Pearson, 2009. Print.