RollerMath

** Roller Coaster Math **.
Essential Question: What influences the speed of a roller coaster?

With this activity we draw upon students' experiences with roller coasters. If students were asked the question "What influences the speed of a roller coaster," they most likely will say the height and length of the roller coaster. Possibly the number of turns and loops as well. Teachers can then have the students test out their predictions by creating experiments that test out the quantifiable aspects of roller coasters.

Please review the Prezi that provides an overview of the inquiry-based xSTEM process that the STEM we developed here at the STEM Center. The Prezi uses the Roller Coaster activity as an example of some of the STEM-related activities that we do at the STEM Center.

Roller Coaster Images that can be used for discussions: joyrides.com

Additional resources: Illuminations-- [] Physics Classroom-- [] Discovery Movie on Roller Coaster Science: @http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/other-shows/videos/time-warp-roller-coaster-science.htm linear accelerator (Gauss Rifle)-- [] NGSS Standards: @http://www.nextgenscience.org/msps-e-energy

The following are movies of the linear accelerator in action. The first movie is at regular speed. The second movie is in slow motion. Even in slow motion you need to pay close attention to the movement between the steel balls. Watch closel as the reactions are quick.

1. Normal Speed. media type="file" key="linear accelerator regular speed.3gp" width="300" height="300"

2. Slow Motion. media type="file" key="slowmo linear accelerator.3gp" width="300" height="300"

Kinetic and Potential Energy Cartoon. media type="custom" key="25357352"
 * Teacher Background Knowledge:**

Physics Classroom-- []