Page 122 - How It Works - Book of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, 12

� AMAZIG ANSWERS TO CURIOUS QUESTIONS

Acceleration force
How do Pure acceleration is a change in
velocity over time - represented by
Gravity (weight)
Newton's famous formula F=ma.
-
coasters Apparent weight Rate of acceleration is therefore
dependent on both the weight of the
train and the force applied.
create Acceleration force
G-force?

he aim of a roller coaster is to subject
forces on the body people do not
T normally experience. These have to be
within safe medical limits, and to do this Apparent weight
Applying acceleration or gravity
designers consider physiology. The body is
forces changes our sensation of
more able to tolerate vertical forces rather than weight. It is different to actual
horizontal ones. This is particularly the case Gravity (weight) weight - less apparent weight
makes our bodies feel 'lighter'.
for compression forces. Many roller coasters Weight is a measurement of the
force exerted on a body by
therefore compress passengers firmly into gravity towards the centre of the
their seats, with forces up to +6g, but won't let earth. '2g' means equivalent to
twice the force of gravity.
them 'float' out too severely- the effects of a
negative zg force will still be strongly felt!
An intolerance of side forces is why many
roller coaster corners are banked. This reduces
the G-forces on passengers to around 1.5g,
helping protect necks. It is unable to deal with
high side forces so careful consideration must
be given here to not injure people.
Overall, though, a roller coaster is the only
thing this side of a race car or space shuttle
where you can feel what such incredible forces
are like. Are your body and your constitution
up to it?

Summit approach
The approach to a summit appears
to be about to launch you into the
air as no track is visible in front!

accelerated to the ground
faster than gravity - this
causes negative G-force that
presses you back into the seat.

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