The
All the Physics with none
of the
Cedar Point
Honors Physics Final
HARTLAND HIGH SCHOOL
MAY 22nd, 2014
GROUP MEMBERS:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 2
The 2014 Honors Physics Final
Welcome to the 2014 Honors Physics Final. Please keep your hands inside the
car at all times.
Your task is to use the data in this packet to answer questions about various
rides that at one time actually existed at Cedar Point Amusement Park (America’s
Roller Coast!) in beautiful Sandusky, Ohio. All work and explanations must be done in
detail. After all, this project is the final for Honors Physics. The project is due by the
end of the day on Thursday, May 22nd. All members of the group will receive the same
grade; so all members must participate in the preparation of the project.
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 3
THE SPACE SPIRAL
MEASUREMENTS
1. Below is a picture of the Space Spiral, a slow but tall ride. The cabin rotates while
rising ever so slowly.
2. Find the circumference of the cabin.
Circumference = 19.2 m
3. Find the maximum height the cabin reaches.
Maximum height = 72 m
4. Measure the time it takes the cabin to rise to its full height.
Time (s)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
5. Measure the period of rotation of the cabin.
Period (s)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
52
Average
42
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 4
ANALYSIS
6. a. Calculate the
average vertical
speed of the cabin.
b. Calculate the radius of
the cabin.
c. Calculate the speed of
a point on the outside
wall of the cabin as it
rotates.
7. What is the centripetal acceleration of a point on the wall of the cabin?
8. Assuming the mass of the cabin to be 9500 kg , find the gravitational potential energy
of the cabin at its maximum height.
9. How much work is done on the cabin in lifting it to its full height? Neglect the
rotation of the cabin and friction. Complete the energy bar graph and energy flow
diagram below quantitatively.
Energy Flow
Initial
Final
Diagram
Ek Eg Ee
E k Eg Ee E d i s s
0
0
10. What minimum amount of power must the motor have in order to raise the cabin?
(Do not take rotation into account.)
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 5
11. Suppose that you decided to drop your physics book out of the cabin when it was at
its maximum height.
a. Draw a force diagram of the book
b. How long would it take the book to
as it falls. Neglect air resistance.
reach the ground?
c. How fast would the book be moving as it reached the ground?
12. Suppose that in a fit of physics curiosity you threw your physics book horizontally
from the cabin when the cabin was at its maximum height.
a. Draw a force diagram for the book
b. The book lands 20. m from the base of
somewhere in its path.
the ride. What was the initial velocity
of the book?
c. What was the book’s horizontal velocity when it was halfway through its flight?
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 6
THE MIDWAY CAROUSEL
*All moving measurements were made when the carousel is running at full speed.
MEASUREMENTS
1. Notice in the picture below that the horses are not completely upright, instead they
are tilted inward.
2. Measure the period of the carousel.
Period (s)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
17
3. Measure the circumference of the carousel.
Circumference = 39.5 m
4. Measure the distance from the edge of the carousel to one of the outermost horses.
Distance = 1.14 m
5. a. Use the horizontal accelerometer to measure the tilt, the angle
measured from the vertical as shown in the diagram, of the
support rod when the carousel is not rotating.
Tilt = 4
b. Repeat this measurement when the carousel is at full rotation.
Tilt = 1

Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 7
ANALYSIS
6. Calculate the radius of the circle inscribed by one of the outermost horses.
(Hint: Calculate the radius of the carousel using the circumference measured in (3).
Then subtract the distance found in (4) from the edge to the position of an outside
horse.)
7. For a horse in the outermost position, use the calculated radius of the outermost
horse from (6) to calculate its
a. speed.
b. and its centripetal acceleration.
8. For the constant speed and radius of your horse, what would be the proper angle of
banking for you to “feel” vertical? This means the horizontal component of the
normal force on you should provide the entire centripetal force, no friction is
required. Be sure to draw a fully labeled force diagram. The support rods should
feel vertical when rotating. This gives the rider a sense of normalcy in the
accelerated reference frame of a moving carousel. For help, see the video on the
2nd Semester Final webpage.
9. Using your previous calculations and data, calculate the percent difference between
the theoretical value of the angle and your measured value. Is the carousel “well”
designed? Explain?
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 8
THE BLUE STREAK
Two of the greatest experiences on a roller coaster are the greater apparent
weight that you feel during the trip through a valley and the floating feeling you
experience when going over a hilltop. The first valley and following hilltop of the Blue
Streak give these remarkable experiences.
MEASUREMENTS
1. Below are the first and second hills and the intervening valley of the Blue Streak.
2. Measure the height of the first hill.
Height of the first hill = 22 m
3. Measure the distance the bottom of the first valley is off of the ground.
Height of the first valley = 0.9 m
4. Measure the height of the second hill.
Height of the second hill = 7.0 m
5. Measure the angle of the drop of the first hill from
the horizontal as shown in the diagram.
Angle of the drop = 45

Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 9
6. Measure the length of the coaster train.
Length of train = 13 m
7. Measure the time it takes the entire coaster train to pass a point at the
a. top of the first hill.
Time (s)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
4.7
Trial 3
Average
0.62
Trial 3
Average
0.73
b. bottom of the first valley.
Time (s)
Trial 1
Trial 2
c. top of the second hill.
Time (s)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Remember to start your stopwatch when the front of the train passes
each point and then stop the watch when the end of the train passes
the same point!
ANALYSIS
8. From the measurements in (6) - (7), calculate the speed of the coaster as it
a. passes over the top
b. passes through the
c. passes over the top of
of the first hill.
bottom of the first
the second hill.
valley.
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 10
9. Using energy considerations calculate the theoretical speed of the coaster as it
passes through the bottom of the first valley. Assume the coaster train has a mass
of 2500 kg and there is no friction. Begin by completing the energy bar graph and
energy flow diagram below quantitatively to help. You will need to use the speed
found in 8(a) to calculate the initial kinetic energy. Do not use 8(b) or 8(c) to do this
part.
Energy Flow
Initial
Final
D
i
a
g
r
a
m
Ek Eg Ee
E k Eg Ee E d i s s
0
0
10. Using energy considerations calculate the theoretical speed of the coaster as it
passes over the top of the second hill. Assume the coaster train has a mass of
2500 kg and there is no friction. Begin by completing the energy bar graph and
energy flow diagram below quantitatively to help. Use the top of the first hill as
your initial. Therefore, you will need to use the speed found in 8(a) to calculate the
initial kinetic energy. Do not use 8(b) or 8(c) to do this part.
Energy Flow
Initial
Final
D
i
a
g
r
a
m
Ek Eg Ee
E k Eg Ee E d i s s
0
0
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 11
11. Calculate the percent difference between the theoretical values in (9) and (10) and
the corresponding experimental values in 8(b) and 8(c). Why are these values not
identical? (Be more specific than human error!)
12. From an energy perspective, why must the second hill be shorter than the first?
13. Given that the radius of curvature of the first valley is 19 m and the radius of
curvature of the second hill is 28 m , calculate the number of g ' s you experience as
you ride the coaster
a. down the drop.
b. through the bottom of the first valley.
c. over the top of the second hilltop.
Remember that the number of g ' s you experience is a measure of how “heavy” you
feel! As discussed in class it is the Normal Force acting on you divided by the force
of gravity (your weight). Be sure to draw a force diagram for each situation. For
help, see the video on the 2nd Semester Final webpage.
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 12
THE WITCHES WHEEL
MEASUREMENTS
1. Below is the Witches Wheel when it is almost fully vertical.
2. Measure the circumference of the wheel.
Circumference = 46.6 m
3. Measure the height of the top of the Witches Wheel when it is fully vertical.
Height = 15.3 m
4. Measure the period of rotation of the wheel when it is at full speed and is fully
vertical.
Period (s)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
4.4
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 13
ANALYSIS
5. Calculate the radius of the circle inscribed by a passenger.
6. Calculate the speed and the centripetal acceleration of a rider.
7. Beginning with a proper force diagram for each situation, calculate the rider’s
number of g ' s (the normal force divided by your weight) at each point mentioned
below. For help, see the video on the 2nd Semester Final webpage.
a. The bottom of the vertical wheel.
b. The top of the vertical wheel.
Physics Day at Cedar Point
page 14
8. Explain in words why it feels like you are being pushed off a ride when you are
traveling in a circle. Please explain from the inertial frame of reference of someone
standing off to the side. Remember that centrifugal force is only a pseudoforce in
an inertial reference frame!
9. Sketch the path a rider would take if released from the ride at the top of the Witch’s
Wheel when it is in full vertical motion. Calculate the range of a person released
from the top when the wheel is in full vertical motion.
Congratulations! You have finished Physics!
(If you are a Senior, if not you have one more unit test!)