7. Why can a coaster never go as high as it does on the first hill?
Engineer Research
Read Thrill Ride Roller Coaster Engineer… (pg. 15)
1. What are some of Cynthia Emerick’s responsibilities?
8. Even though it will not roll to the height it started from, what will
the marble consistently do?
9. What causes the marble to stop?
Go to the How Stuff Works. Start with Roller Coaster Components.
2. What makes a roller coaster move?
Read The Roller Coaster Physics Book (pg. 28, 120-122)
3. How do roller coasters go up the steep lift hill?
How Stuff Works web site. Continue to Roller CoasterPhysics.
4. What is the purpose of the initial ascent?
How Stuff Works web site. Play the animation.
5. Label the areas of highest potential and kinetic energy of the roller
coaster.
6. Why do the hills decrease in height as the roller coaster
progresses?
Read The Roller Coaster Physics Book (pg. 5)
10. What range can the angle of a hill be? Draw a hill and show
where to measure the angle.
Go to the Newton’s Apple website OR Go to How Roller Coaster is
Made
11. How do the following affect a roller coaster?
 If the forces are too great in one direction?

If an upward force is too large?

The lack of supporting forces?
Go to the Everyday Mysteries site. Scroll down to the Fun Facts.
12. When and where was the first corkscrew where passengers were
completely inverted?