Rollercoaster case study

Well at school we have to do a case study and we were allowed to do it about anything so I decided to do mine about rolllercoasters, but i cant think of a question for my case study so if you guys wouldnt mind would you be able to help me think of a question. Also I'm not to sure what I should include in the case study so if you guys had any ides for this aswell please post i will be most appreciative.

Thanks again


Coaster mad

"What's a rollercoaster?"

My humble suggestion:

"Rollercoasters, one of the safest transportation systems on earth!
Why do these scare people to death?"

How about "How have Roller Coasters changed over the past 100 years?" I think that would give quite a bit of variety throughout it, some stuff on the history of coasters, wood/steel comparisons, some of the modern design techniques, and things on brand new coasters for this season and the technology they use.

I like that one especially if you think what roller coasters orginated from.
Here's one:
How far can engineers push the limits on roller coasters? (considering the human body is the limit to how fast or tall a coaster can go)

Oh I forgot to mention it has to involve science.

Originally posted by RenOwens2

(considering the human body is the limit to how fast or tall a coaster can go)

The human body is only the limit of the G forces. Unless coasters go so high there is no atmosphere or so fast that the air resistance crushes riders, height and speed will not be limited by what humans can take.

Speed will def. effect the human body on a coaster. They said that in the Tv show "SuperCoaster" on NatGeo.


My vote is for "How far can engineers push the limits on roller coasters?"
There is enough for you to get one hell of a report, because the TV show was like 2 hours long.

But I never saw the T.V program

why do people sometimes get sick on rollercoasters?
that would work if you include the fluids of your inner ear, i think thats science right?

So you can't have something as simple as perhaps just "the science behind a coaster" and explain the logic in how they design them or something?

Just "How do coasters work?" could turn into a long report that includes alot of science, including kinetic and potential energy, gravity, g-forces, etc. The design of coasters on computers nowadays could also be considered science.

Yeah thanks guys I will probally do 'How do coasters work?' or 'How far can engineers push the limits on roller coasters?' So would u guys be able to say witch one out of those you think i should do.

I think how they work would be better. You could do all sorts of things about things like Intamin Hydraulic launches, LIMs, or simple chain lifts.

Exactly! Remember about those magnetic brakes too.

[Brtnboarder495]

^[lol] Those have to be the least complicated coaster mechanism there is besides the chain lift hill.