2019 Year 12 IB Extended Essays

THE PHYSICS OF THE ROLLER COASTER

potential to kinetic. The roller coaster will continue its motion and complete various elements

of the ride.

Fig 1.2 (The Physics Classroom, 1996-2019)

Energy loss during conversion also occurs. The friction between the rotating wheels, the track

and roller coaster wheels might also cause energy loss. I speculate that the friction between

the wheel and the track increases when the roller coaster is looping. The inertia of the roller

coaster exerts an acceleration force on roller coaster in an outward direction and this makes

the wheels to apply more force on the track, hence creating more friction. This also create

more energy loss.

2.2 Forces acting on the roller coaster In every ride, gravity of Earth and inertia of the roller coaster are responsible for its

movement. However, when it comes to circulating loops or banking, there are different forces

exerting on the roller coaster.

There are two main forces that act on the roller coaster when it is looping: normal force that

exerts on the roller coaster by the railway and gravity of Earth pulling the roller coaster toward

the Earth’s surface. Normal force is always present as the railways pushes the roller coaster

up countering the roller coaster’s weight by applying itself perpendicular to the roller coaster.

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IB Diploma