2019 Year 12 IB Extended Essays

THE PHYSICS OF THE ROLLER COASTER

- Then move to the next height of release with the same starting radius. - Increase height of release when the ball cannot circulate a certain radius. - Record the maximum diameter of the loop that the ball can circulate corresponding to the height of release. - Repeat each height and radius 5 times. Safety precautions: - The ball bearing is small hence it is considered a choking hazard as well as other pieces. - The ball bearing is smaller than a human eyeball therefore goggles must be worn.

Secondary research

I was able to access the database showing statistics of every element of all roller coasters in the world. However, roller coaster designs vary too much nowadays I could hardly find and relevant data. Despite that, I will still present some of the data I found.

5. Data presentation Primary data

Table 1.1 height of release vs maximum radius (raw data)

Maximum radius the ball can circulate(cm) ±0.4cm

Height of release(cm)±0.2cm

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial3

Trial 4

Trial 5

30 40 50 60 70

4.5 6.0 8.0

4.5 6.0 8.0

4.5 6.0 8.0

4.5 6.0 8.0

4.5 6.0 8.0

10 11

10 11

10 11

10 11

10 11

Processed data

Table 1.2 processed data

Sample calculation = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 5 E.g. = 6+6+6+6+6 5 = 30 5 = 6

Height of release(cm) ±0.2cm

Average maximum radius the ball can circulate(cm) ±0.4cm

30 40 50 60 70

4.5 6.0 8.0

10 11

P a g e | 14

IB Diploma