Science Fair

I need a good project that has to do with rollercoasters, and isnt crappy like "what makes a roller coaster move." Any suggestions? Please, i need help.

[Dirk_Ermen]

What about building a marble track which eventually goes down as a rollercoaster? Insert a loop, some turns, maybe a corkscrew if possible [:D]

Then just call it "wonders of gravity"


To be true, I have no idea. We don't have those science fairs in here. [:(]

That sounds good

Any more?

It has to be a question like, What makes a coaster move?

I am doing the same thing now... I am doing "Does temperature effect the performance of your computer?"

^How do you intend to measure the performance under your conditions?

[jayman]

Originally posted by RRollergod

I am doing the same thing now... I am doing "Does temperature effect the performance of your computer?"

yes it does.. anyone with even the slightest background in any kind of electronics can explain this.. what most people dont realize is that EVERYTHING going on in your computer is actual physical movement, there are electrons moving through circuits at the speed of light, and heat causes friction, which in turn slows things down... in fact the heat your computer creates is due to this friction.. i could get heavier and say that ALLL heat is caused by friction..
however you have a challege ahead of you.. i know it and you know it but convincing others will be difficult..

[hyyyper]

"Does a full train go faster than an empty train?"

[approve]

I need a good project that has to do with rollercoasters, and isnt crappy like "what makes a roller coaster move." Any suggestions? Please, i need help.

What doesn't make a coaster move?

Well, it's certainly difficult to think of much in the way of a science fair project, as that would require an actual experiment or hypothesis. When I was younger I did some basic chemistry and more advance physics experiments for science fairs. I recall getting a perfect score once...

Anyhow, if you're looking for something ride-related, I would definitely go the physics route. For example, take a look at a specific element, such as a loop or hill (keep it simple), and show how the forces and kinematics work through different iterations or versions of the element. So you could have, say, three loop configurations: one circular, one more elongated, and one that looks like a B&M. Then do some physics analysis. If you want to really go overboard (ie this is what I would do), use a tangential-normal reference frame (moves with the train) instead of cartesian and also be sure to talk about concepts like material stresses and general rider safety guidelines. This is just an idea, but if you do it right it does involve enough research and math to considered a science fair project IMO.

Then again, if you hate physics, you might be better off doing something materials related (like how wheels or harnesses are made) or pick a different/easier topic altogether. Good luck!

Coasters are the elaborate waltz of engineering and physics. If you're going to do a project on coasters, it's going to be hard to avoid "what makes a roller coaster move." That's why physics teachers usually plan a trip to a Theme Park after talking about gravity and work equations. Coasters are basically about gravity, friction, and kinetic energy. Those are the easiest things to talk about if you?????????re doing a science project about coasters, and, yeah, they all "make a roller coaster move."

Your best route is to talk about physics and roller coasters, and turning potential energy into kinetic energy when the train goes over the top of the lift hill, and how some energy is converted into heat with friction between the rails and the wheels. Show things like how (without the help of LIMS or any other booster) a train can't go higher than the first hill, and how at the end of a ride the train can't go as high as it used to because the train is losing energy. Coaster projects are usually fun real world math and physics examples.

Originally posted by hyyyper

"Does a full train go faster than an empty train?"

That?????????s a question answered with Force = Mass * Acceleration, where Mass is different based on the load of the train . . . So it's just more Physics, he?????????d probably get to show more with a broader question, and I'm just guessing that the more stuff that's going on with his project the better he?????????ll do.

Originally posted by Kevin Brennan

Well, it's certainly difficult to think of much in the way of a science fair project, as that would require an actual experiment or hypothesis. When I was younger I did some basic chemistry and more advance physics experiments for science fairs. I recall getting a perfect score once...

Anyhow, if you're looking for something ride-related, I would definitely go the physics route. For example, take a look at a specific element, such as a loop or hill (keep it simple), and show how the forces and kinematics work through different iterations or versions of the element. So you could have, say, three loop configurations: one circular, one more elongated, and one that looks like a B&M. Then do some physics analysis. If you want to really go overboard (ie this is what I would do), use a tangential-normal reference frame (moves with the train) instead of cartesian and also be sure to talk about concepts like material stresses and general rider safety guidelines. This is just an idea, but if you do it right it does involve enough research and math to considered a science fair project IMO.

Then again, if you hate physics, you might be better off doing something materials related (like how wheels or harnesses are made) or pick a different/easier topic altogether. Good luck!

I think we have a winner!!!!!