Modeling Rollercoasters

Specify Requirements

• Criteria:

  • Use at least 2 tubes

  • Marble must travel from the start of one track to the end cup on another track, without falling off the track

• Constraints:

  • Supplies: 2 meters masking tape, 3 foam tubes

  • Time Limit: 1  period

Directions, Drawings, & Measurements

1. Obtain supplies + 1 bag with marble, plastic cup, measuring tape, stopwatch

2. How long is the entire track? Measure & record the length of the tubes in METERS.

3. Make the best & most creative coaster that you can

   • Spread out and find a good area away from others.

   • The end of the coaster should empty into the cup.

   • Feel free to take pictures or video on your phone.

4. Obtain & RECORD measurements

   • Measure the starting top height of the marble, in other words, from the ground up to the very top where it begins it’s course.

   • Time how long it takes the marble to complete the track.

   • Measure each element (start height, height & width of loops, track length, drop heights, corkscrew lengths, etc.).

5. Cleanup

   • Carefully remove all tape.

   • Disconnect your foam pieces and band them together with the rubber band.

   • Return all supplies to your teacher.

Thinking About Roller Coasters

1. What did you SEE as the marble moved along the track? Be specific.

2. What did you HEAR as the marble moved along the track?

3. What caused the marble to accelerate and/or decelerate?

4. What did you notice about the starting height of your coaster?

Model Calculations

Use measurements from your marble coaster to show that you can calculate kinetic and potential energy. Note the mass of the marbles below:

• Mass of big marble: 0.067 kilograms

• Mass of small marble: 0.0051 kilograms