Physics Extra Credit Activity: Winter Break 2015
What:
You will have an opportunity for some extra points (in the labs and homework
part of your grade) over the winter break
When:
It is due no later than 7:30 on Monday January 4, 2016.
Where:
The activity involves making measurements at Nickelodeon Universe at
the Mall of America. This does involve getting yourself to the Mall, but since
the amusement park area is open to the public you do not have to pay
admission. You do have to pay, though, if you choose to actually ride the rides
there.
Who:
Any physics student at Central, either alone or in groups of up to 3 (three) total
Each student is required to turn in their own work (even if you worked in a
group!)
Proof:
We do require some proof that you actually ventured out to this location.
Suitable proof might include ticket stubs/wrist band from Nickelodeon
Universe, pictures of you at the mall, etc. This is meant to be a light-hearted and
fun approach to working with our physics topics.
Be safe, be careful, be respectful of others, make good choices, and learn some physics!
Equations and helpful suggestions are on the last two pages of this worksheet.
Nickelodeon Universe Physics Extra Credit Assignment
Activity 1: Determine the average speed over an entire rollercoaster “run”, from
start to finish. Measure each of these roller-coasters. Use Equation 1.
Ride Name
Sponge Bob
Squarepants
Rockbottom Plunge
Pepsi Orange Streak
Length of Track
(meters)
410
411
Log Chute
465
(Show all work)
Average Speed
(m/s)
819
Fairly Odd Coaster
Activity 2:
Time for one run
(sec)
Determine the velocity of a rider at the bottom of the first drop of the Sponge Bob
Squarepants RockbottomPlunge. This ride has a vertical drop of 19 meters. This
will include using Equations 9,10, & 11. Assume a fully loaded cart of 800 kg mass
Potential Energy PE (at top) =
Kinetic Energy KE (at bottom) =
Velocity at the bottom of the first hill: v = _______________
Activity 3:
Determine the velocity of a rider at the bottom of the first drop of the Sponge Bob
Squarepants RockbottomPlunge by timing how long takes to plunge the 19 meters
and multiplying that time by “g”, 9.8 m/s2. (This uses Equation 3, assuming the
initial velocity is zero.)
Time this drop 3 times, and get an average, then get the speed. (show work!)
How close are your answers to Activities 2 and 3?
Activity 4: Analyze the motion of 2 rotating rides. If given the ride’s radius when in
motion, time 4 complete revolutions, divide by four to get an average
time for a complete revolution, and then calculate the following:
Ride Name
Radius
(meters)
Carousel
4.47 m
Time for
one
revolution
(sec)
Average
Linear Speed
(m/s)
(Equation 4)
Average
angular speed
(rad/s)
(Equation 6)
(outside horse)
Backyardigan’s
Swingalong
Ride Name
5 m (at
full
swing)
Centripetal
acceleration
(m/s2)
(Equation 5)
Carousel
(outside horse)
Backyardigan’s
Swingalong
Centripetal force felt by a 70 kg
student rider
(Newtons)
(Equation 8)
Activity 5: Use the centripetal acceleration you calculated in
Activity 4 together with equation 12
to determine the following for each ride
a) the angle the “Swingalong” swings out
b) the angle you would have to stand/lean at on the
Carousel to feel stable.
Activity 6: Find another ride not listed above and write a short essay on the physics applications
involved (e.g. Bumper cars, Avatar Airbender, Ninja Turtles, Brain Surge, etc.)
Helpful relationships
Equation 1
(average speed)
v = distance/time
Equation 2:
(acceleration)
a =  velocity/time
Equation 3:
(final velocity)
vf = vo + at
The following three equations relate to circular motion.
Equation 4:
(tangential speed)
Equation 5:
(centripetal acceleration)
Equation 6:
Angular velocity
 = /T
(or 2/T)
1 revolution is 2 radians
Equation 7:
(force)
Equation 8:
Centripetal force
Equation 9:
(potential energy)
Equation 10:
(kinetic
Fc = mv2/r
energy)
When loss of PE = gain of KE, and if original v is small, the final v can be determined by
Equation 11:
The following diagram and equation are useful in the derivation of Equation 12
Equation 12: (centripetal acceleration)
"h" in the following diagram can be
determined using Equation 13.
Equation 13:
Equation 14:
(coefficient of friction)
Equation 15:
(period of a pendulum)
T = 2(length/g)1/2