Roller+Coaster+WebQuest

//by Mrs. Dufour and Mrs. Flynn// We have received state and local approval for a new theme park on the outskirts of your town. We are looking for ambitious companies to design exciting new rides. The new park will offer rides that demonstrate the basic laws of physics. Special attention will be paid to Newton's Laws of Motion. The park will be called Newtown Amusement Park. Your company has been invited to create and submit a plan for a new roller coaster.
 * Introduction **

​In order to be considered for the new ride, your company must complete the following:
 * Your Task **

1. **Research** and **learn** about the forces behind a roller coaster. Study potential energy, kinetic energy and Newton's Laws.

2. **Design** and **build** a model of a fun roller coaster. A marble must be able to ride from the starting point to the end point and stop safely.

3. **Create an illustration** of your roller coaster model. You must name your ride with a clever name that will attract a large number of riders (children, teens, adults and seniors).

4. **Label** your drawing in the sections where **Newton's Laws** can be demonstrated. You must also label the areas of **potential** and **kinetic** energy. **Measure** and label the **beginning height** and **height of each hill**.

5. **Demonstrate** the safety and fun of your ride. You will be asked to answer questions about Newton's Laws and the forces involved in roller coasters.

You are invited to present your model to the board of directors. You must be able to demonstrate that the ride is safe (that is, the marble lands safely at the end of the ride), the ride demonstrates Newton's Laws and the ride will attract customers (that is, it contains hills, curves and loops).

Using the resources below, research and investigate the design and history of roller coasters. Learn about the forces behind them. Set up nine pages in your notebook with the following topics:
 * Process **

1. Kinetic energy 2. Potential energy 3. Acceleration 4. Velocity 5. Newton's First Law 6. Newton's Second Law 7. Newton's Third Law 8. History of roller coasters 9. Design of roller coasters

Using the knowledge gained from your research, plan how you will build your roller coaster. You must include at least two hills and a loop. Your care must land safely at the end of the ride. It cannot crash into a wall or roll out onto the road. Prepare a poster that illustrates your design. Areas of kinetic energy, potential energy and Newton's Laws must be labeled (see rubric below). You must measure the height of each hill and label your illustration. You will be asked to demonstrate your ride. Your car must complete the entire ride and land safely.

This resource includes links to great roller coaster sites.
 * Resources **
 * [|An Internet WebQuest: Roller Coaster Physics]**


 * [|Fear of Physics: How to Make a Roller Coaster Work]**


 * [|Fear of Physics: What Happens When Two Things Collide]**


 * [|Fear of Physics: Dropped and Shot]

[|Fear of Physics: Why Gravity Causes Things to Fall]

[|Fear of Physics: The Race!]

[|Amusement Park Physics: Roller Coaster], from [|Learner.org]

[|Funderstanding: Coaster]

//[|How Roller Coasters Work]//, by Tom Harris, from TLC's howstuffworks.com**

This article includes a great deal of information about roller coasters, including their history, mechanics, safety issues, and more.
 * [|Roller Coaster], from [|Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]**


 * [|How It Started: Roller Coaster History]** from **[|Ultimate Rollercoaster]**


 * [|Build Your Own Coaster]**, from **[|Discovery Kids]**

Begin your research here for each of the nine topics listed above! The Gale Virtual Reference Library includes the full text of many useful encyclopedias, including the **//UXL Encyclopedia of Science//**. (Please note:** You will need a User ID and/or Password to log in to this resource**.)
 * [|Gale Virtual Reference Library]

[|eLibrary & SIRS Discoverer] Each of these database collections offers several informative articles providing information about how roller coasters work, their history and design, and more. (Please note:** You will need a User ID and/or Password to log in to these resources.**)**

You will be given two class periods to complete the construction of the roller coaster. The first day should be spent planning and figuring out how to best show Newton's Laws and kinetic and potential energy. Discuss with your group what materials you need to bring to class in order to best complete your assignment. The teacher will provide the track and car (a marble). No mechanical means may be used. Think about how you will support the hills and what materials might be used to create a safe landing. Decide how you will divide the work. Remember, your group must complete the roller coaster and your poster within the two-hour time period.
 * Advice **


 * Grading Rubric **
 * = **Ride Requirements** ||= **Possible Points** ||= **Earned Points** ||
 * = 2 hills & height labeled ||= 10 ||=  ||
 * = 1 curve & height labeled ||= 10 ||=  ||
 * = 1 complete loop ||= 10 ||=  ||
 * = Newton's First Law labeled ||= 10 ||=  ||
 * = Newton's Second Law labeled ||= 10 ||=  ||
 * = Newton's Third Law labeled ||= 10 ||=  ||
 * = Potential Energy identified ||= 10 ||=  ||
 * = Kinetic Energy identified ||= 10 ||=  ||
 * = Illustration - named and labeled ||= 10 ||=  ||
 * = Demonstration - ride safely completed ||= 10 ||=  ||
 * = **Total** ||= 100 ||=  ||