My Objective : To understand how a gravity-driven coaster operates based on work and energy.

Concepts: Observation, Mathematical Skills, Calculator

Materials: Paper, Pencil, Calculator

Directions/Activity:

1.) Calculate the work done on you when you were pulled up the 303-foot diagonal incline loading area.
2.) Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom claims a maximum speed of 63 miles per hour and a maximum vertical height of 154 feet. Is this claim valid ? Explain.

3.) On Chang , riders plummet from the highest hill of 154 feet into a 121.6 vertical loop. Explain the energy transfer during this part of the ride (hill to low point to top of loop).

4.) Set up an equation which compares the initial energy values compare? Explain any differences.

Extensions/Enrichments:

1.) Why was it necessary for the riders to be pulled up to a high point at the ride's beginning.

2.) Chang is a gravity driven roller coaster. Explain what this means.

3.) On this ride you encounter five different inversions. Were all of equal "thrill value"? Construct them on this basis.

4.) Supposedly a stand-up coaster differs from a sit-down one because your whole body will work with the ride. Did you feel the this difference? Compare the two kinds of coasters.

5.) Chang has 4155feet of track. The cost of the ride was $12 million. What was the cost for this ride?