THE PHYSICS BEHIND THE FUN: HNC PHYSICISTS COLLECT ROLLERCOASTER DATA AT ALTON TOWERS
21.10.2024HNC’s A Level Physics students have recently spent the day at Alton Towers to experience first-hand the forces involved in linear acceleration and circular motion, collecting data sets that could then be analysed in the classroom.
In A Level Physics, students explore the fundamental rules of the universe, developing their knowledge of how the world around us works. On this hair-raising visit, students from across HNC’s A Level Physics course spent the day at Alton Towers, experiencing the forces learnt about in the classroom in reality, and collecting a wide range of data to later be analysed in class.
Rollercoasters are not powered by an engine, and instead rely on their own weight once dropped from height to accelerate. During this visit, the group were tasked with investigating the linear acceleration and circular motion of the rides by live datalogging using apps on their smartphones, tracking acceleration and g-force. Below, you can see a graph taken from ‘Rita, Queen of Speed’, which shows a maximum g-force of 4.6g and a minimum of 0.4g. Anything under the value of 1 will give the rider a feeling of weightlessness, much like astronauts experience in space.
On the day, students collected data from a number of rides including Oblivion, The Blade, Rita Queen of Speed and Nemesis Reborn. Chris Smith, Faculty Lead Enrich Maths and Science, comments “Our understanding of Physics underpins our entire knowledge of the universe – and theme parks such as Alton Towers are home to a variety of rides that use this understanding to provide thrill seekers with rides that allow the user to experience universal forces such as gravity! On the day our students not only enjoyed a white-knuckle experience, they also collected a range of data that will inform their investigations in the classroom and develop their knowledge and experience of these elemental forces in action”.
All students at HNC experience an enriching education which will see them undertake a variety of interesting experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Join us at our next open event on Wednesday 13 November to find out more.
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