Chapter 1
The icy origins of gravity rides
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Chapter 2
The invisible engine of gravity and energy
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Chapter 3
Surviving loops and extreme forces
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Chapter 4
The engineering of speed and safety
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YOUR GOAL
Master of How roller coasters work
Ch 3 · Surviving loops and extreme forces
artiteacher Roller Coaster Physics
Gravity's the force! Gravity's the force! From the first high drop, it guides the course!
Fun Fact
Teardrop loops: Perfectly circular loops were abandoned because they generated up to 12 Gs of force, which is enough to make fighter pilots pass out.
Glossary
clothoid (noun)
A mathematical curve whose curvature is proportional to its distance along the path. In 1976, Six Flags Magic Mountain's Revolution used this teardrop shape to safely guide riders through inversions.
A mathematical curve whose curvature is proportional to its distance along the path. In 1976, Six Flags Magic Mountain's Revolution used this teardrop shape to safely guide riders through inversions.
Quiz
What temporary visual symptom can happen if a roller coaster rider experiences too many positive G-forces?
Quiz
What type of G-force makes a roller coaster rider feel like they are lifting out of their seat?
Quiz
What was the name of the 1895 circular-loop roller coaster that caused severe neck injuries?
Quiz
What is the typical maximum safe positive G-force limit for modern commercial roller coasters?
Quiz
What happens to a rider's blood flow when they experience high positive G-forces on a roller coaster?
Quiz
What track design feature prevents roller coaster riders from being thrown sideways during sharp turns?
Quiz
Which roller coaster loop design, introduced in 1975, revived the looping coaster era using steel tracks?
Quiz
Why are modern roller coaster loops shaped like teardrops instead of perfect circles?