Name: Marie Argo / Contact Info: / Date: 30-Jun-15
Lesson Title : Research & Brainstorm / Unit #: 1 / Lesson #: 1 / Activity #:
1 / Worksheet:
b
ActivityTitle: Roller Coaster Energy Placement & Design
Worksheet Title: Loop the Loop Lab

While watching the following video, read to students…

Slow and clanking, the string of cars is pulled up to the crest of the tallest point on the roller coaster. One by one, the cars start downhill on the other side, until gravity takes over and the full weight of the train is careening down into curves, twists, and turns.

After watching ask students these essential questions…

  1. Where is the highest hill of a roller coaster typically located…why do you think so?
  2. What are potential and kinetic energy? How do they play a role in roller coaster rides?
  3. What initial height is too tall or too low in order to keep the ride rolling? How does the height affect the slope?
  4. What can we relate this to in math?

Challenge:

How high do you have to make the starting point of your roller coaster in order for the marble to "loop-the-loop"?

Experiment Building Instructions:

  1. Take your foam insulation and pick a diameter for the loop. Something in the range of 12–20in should work well.
  2. Tape two lengths of the foam U-channel together, end-to-end. The joint between the two pieces should be as smooth as possible.
  3. Curl the track into a loop of the desired diameter. Tape the loop together where the two tracks meet at the bottom (see illustration to the right).
  4. Raise the other end of the track up to make a ramp coming down into the loop (see illustration above).
  5. Tape the top of the ramp in place on a bookshelf or other piece of furniture.
  6. Now you can tape the loop down to the floor.
  7. Measure the diameter of the loop and make sure it’s 12-20 in.
  8. Measure the height of the starting point for the track (rise). (choose 5 different heights to record)
  9. Measure the horizontal distance from the track starting point to the beginning of the loop (run).
  10. Run a single ball bearing down the track 10separate times. How many times does it successfully go through the loop?
  11. Change the height and repeat the previous step. Can you find the minimum height to successfully go through the loop?

Group Names:______

Loop the Loop Data Sheet

Directions: Use 5 different starting heights and let your ball bearing roll down the coaster. The goal is to make the ball bearing loop the loop. Try each height 10 times to be accurate. Then answer if it made the loop “most of the time.”

Trial / Rise/Run / Initial Height / Did it loop the loop? (ex: 0/10, 4/10, etc.) / Equation
1
2
3
4
5

Reflection:

  1. At which height did yourball bearing begin to make it through the loop?
  1. Why was the ball bearing able to make it through the loop?

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