PHYSICS BEHIND ROLLER COASTER

REPORT OF DISCUSSION

Presented to fulfill the duty of Kapita Selekta Fisika Sekolah
that has been teached by Mr. Sutopo





By Group VI:
1. Miftachul Choiriyah 109321417091
2. Aurora Kumala Cahyaningtyas 109321417099
3. Mukhammad Adharul M. 10932141709
4. Sinta Nurrisa Karonsih 109321417113
















STATE UNIVERSITY OF MALANG
FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
November, 2011

PROBLEM A

Position of Cars where the Passengers feel zero and 8g
Apparent Weight Respectively

Some people excited to play roller coaster. They usually play this
amusement-park ride because they think that this is fun and they can enjoy the
sensation when they ride it. One of the causes of the sensation that felt by the
passenger of roller coaster is because the rapid changes in passengers apparent
weight comes from the normal force that we (as passengers) felt from the floor,
seat, etc. The magnitudes of apparent weights (normal force) that felt by the
passenger of roller coaster are different at each position on the paths of roller
coaster.
For example if we want to discuss about the magnitude of apparent weight
that felt by the passenger of roller coaster in the case at the given problem.
Consider the friction force at this case is zero and W
A
= W
B
= W
C
= W
D
= W
E
= W
F
= W= mg. We can divide the path of roller coaster at given problem to several
paths in order to make us easy. For example path A-B is linear path before the
valley, path B-C-D is first circular paths with radius R that make a valley at the
bottom of this circular path, then path D-E is linear path after the valley, and the
last is path E-F-G is path of second circular path with radius R that make a
mountain (or hill) from the arc of second circle that has height h from the
ground that shown by this figure:










Figure1. The profile of roller coaster being designed
- Path A-B ( Point 1)













Based on figure 2:






- PATH B-C-D



There are different sensations of our apparent weight that we felt when we
passed this path. This path is an arc of a circle with radius R that fits the bottom of

Figure2. Forces that acted at car on
the roller coaster at path A-B.
Figure was taken from Physics for
Scientists and Engineers (2004,
p.134)
If we consider that the angle of straight
line tracks with horizontal line is and 0 <
< 90
o
, we can find the components of force
that acted roller coaster cars (symbolized
with a box) as shown at figure 2. If we also
consider there is no friction force during the
motion of the cars, f at figure 2 is equal to
zero. Apparent weight that felt by passengers
is proportional to the normal force that acted
on cars (shown with n at figure 2). We can
write n = N at this case to shown normal
force that acted on the cars.

=
y y
ma F
0 . cos
1
m mg N = u
u cos
1
mg N =
1 1
mg N =
So at this point,
u cos
1
g g =
And the apparent weight that felt by
passengers at this point is:
u cos
1
mg N =
valley as figure in figure3. Roller coaster cars were symbolized with a point at this
figure. At this path, the magnitude of the angle between radius R to the normal
line at the bottom of valley are change from to 0 at path B-C and change from 0
to at path C-D.

Point 2 that moved from B-C


When we observe point 2 that moved at path B-C, there were some
components of force that acted at that point at that position along the path B-C.
The magnitude of the angle between radius R to the normal line at the bottom of
valley is change from to 0 and the height of cars at this path from the ground is
also change from h
B
(h

) to h
C
(0 m). Based on second Newtons law,












|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
+ =
+ =
=
=

R
v
g m N
R
v
m mg N
R
v
m W N
R
v
m W N
ma F
B
B
y y
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
cos
cos
cos
cos
u
u
u
u
R
v
g g
R
v
g g
so
mg N
B
2
2
2
2
2 2
cos
cos
u
u
u
+ =
+ =
= As we know that
y
x
The height of the car was changed from h

to h
C
(0 m), based on conservation Law
of mechanical energy;












Point 3 at Bottom of the Valley (C)

When the car passed point C at the bottom of the valley, there were some
components of force that acted at that point at that position. There were no angle
that formed between radius R to the normal line at this position ( = 0). In this
position, we usually feel that our apparent weight is very heavy. Based on second
Newtons law,









And the apparent weight that felt by
passengers at this point is:
( )
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
R
h h g
g m N
R
v
g m N
R
v
g m N
u
u
u
u
u
2
cos
cos
cos
2
2
2
2
2
2
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
+ =
+ =
=
=

R
v
g m N
R
v
m mg N
R
v
m W N
R
v
m W N
ma F
C
C
y y
2
3
3
2
3
3
2
3
3
2
3
3
R
v
g g
so
mg N
2
3
3
3 3
+ =
= As we know that
( )
( )
u u
u u
u u
u u
h h g v
mv h h mg
mv mgh mgh
mgh mv mgh m
mgh mv mgh mv
EM EM
B B A A
B A
=
=
=
+ = +
+ = +
=
2
2
2
1
2
1
) 0 (
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
2
2
2 2
2 2
y
x
Based on conservation Law of mechanical energy;











Point 4 that moved from C-D

When the car moved at path C-D, the magnitude of the angle between
radius R to the normal line at the bottom of valley is change from 0 to and the
height of cars at this path from the ground is also change from h
C
(0 m) to h
D
(h

).
Based on second Newtons law,




Because the height of cars at D is same with the height of cars at B, so the velocity
of cars at D is same too with the velocity of cars at B (based on conservation law
of mechanical energy), so:
And the apparent weight that felt by
passengers at this point is:
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
R
gh
g m N
R
v
g m N
2
3
2
3
3
( )
gh v
mv mgh
mv mgh
mg mv mgh m
mgh mv mgh mv
EM EM
C C A A
C A
2
2
2
1
0
2
1
) 0 (
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
2 2
=
=
=
+ = +
+ = +
=
R
v
m W N
R
v
m W N
ma F
D
D
y y
2
4
4
2
4
4
+ =
=
=

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
+ =
R
v
g m N
R
v
m mg N
D
2
4
2
4
4
( )
u u
h h g v v v = = = 2
2 2
4
2
2
x
y
And the apparent weight that felt by passengers at this point is:






- Path D-E (Point 5)
The components of force of roller coaster cars at this path is same with the
components of force of roller coaster cars at path A-B because the magnitude of
the angle of this path (as a straight line) with horizontal line is same with the
magnitude of angle of path A-B with the horizontal line, that are . The different
of the cars motion between path A-B and D-E is the cars are moving down at
path A-B (the cars are speeding up), but at path D-E the cars are moving up so we
(as passenger) feel that the cars are slowing down. The components of force that
acted on the roller coaster cars at this path can be seen in this figure below, with
the roller coaster cars symbolized as a point like in this figure:




( )
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
R
h h g
g m N
R
v
g m N
R
v
g m N
u
u
u
u
u
2
cos
cos
cos
4
2
4
2
4
4
x
y
Same with point A at path A-B,





And the magnitude of apparent weight that felt by passengers at this path is same
with the magnitude of apparent weight that felt by passengers at path A-B:



- PATH E-F-G

Figure8. Path E-F-G at roller coaster cars track

After passed a straight line track at path D-E, the roller coaster cars will
pass a hill (or mountain) as the arc of the circle track that has same radius R
with the arc of the first circle as shown as figure 8 above. The roller coaster cars
are symbolized with a point. Consider that point 6 represent the roller coaster cars
that moved from path E-F and point 7 is represent the roller coaster cars at the top
of the arc of the second circle (located at h from the ground at F).




( )
u u
u
cos cos
0 cos
5
mg W N
m W N
ma F
E E
E
y y
= =
=
=

As we know that
1 5
5 5
cos g g g
so
mg N
= =
=
u
u cos
5 1
mg N N = =
Point 6 (The roller coaster cars moved at path E-F)

Figure9. The forces that acted on the roller coaster cars at E

Consider that point 6 represent the roller coaster cars that moved from
path E-F that formed as an arc of the circle as shown as figure9. The magnitude of
the angle between the radius of this circle at E and the normal force at the peak of
arch of the circle as the track of motion is . To distinguish this angle with the first
angle at the previous circle that make valley on roller coaster track, we can
symbolized as , and has the same magnitude. The components of force that
acted on point 6 is same with the components force on point 5 because point 5 and
6 was observed at the same position, that is E. But we must realize that the path of
cars was different, from E until G the track of the motion is in circular path.












|
|
.
|

\
|
=
=
=
=
=

R
v
g m N
R
v
m mg N
R
v
m W N
R
v
m N W
ma F
E
E
y y
2
6
6
2
6
6
2
6
6
2
6
6
cos
cos
cos
cos
o
o
o
o
As we know that
R
v
g g
R
v
g g
so
mg N
2
6
2
6
6
6 6
cos
cos
o
o
o
=
=
=
x
y
Based on conservation Law of mechanical energy;












Point 7 at the Peak of Mountain (F)



Figure10. The components of force that acted on the roller coaster cars at the
peak (top) of the second circle (F position)

As a passenger, we usually feel that our apparent weight is very small
(even we feel that we can fly if we dont use safety belt) when we reach the top of
mountain at the track of roller coaster. The top of roller coaster is shown at F in
figure10. The components of force that acted on the roller coaster cars at this
position are:





( )
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
R
h h g
g m N
R
v
g m N
R
v
g m N
o
o
o
o
o
2
cos
cos
cos
6
2
6
2
6
6
( )
( )
o o
o o
o o
o o
h h g v
mv h h mg
mv mgh mgh
mgh mv mgh m
mgh mv mgh mv
EM EM
E E A A
E A
=
=
=
+ = +
+ = +
=
2
2
2
1
2
1
) 0 (
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
2
2
2 2
2 2
So the apparent weight that felt by
passengers at this point is:
R
v
m W N
R
v
m N W
ma F
F
y y
2
7
7 7
2
7
7
=
=
=

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
=
R
v
g m N
R
v
m mg N
2
7
7
2
7
7
As we know that so


Based on conservation Law of mechanical energy;











From the given problem, we know that the roller coaster provide
passengers with the sensation of apparent weight that varies from zero to 8g (our
normal weight is 1g W
Normal
= mg=1g so m=1).
Table1. The apparent weight that felt by passengers at each position on the roller coaster track
Path Point The Apparent Weigh Gravitational acceleration (g)
A-B 1
B-C-D
2

3

4

D-E 5
E-F-G
6


( )
R
h h g
g
o
o

2
cos
7


The magnitude of is same with the magnitude of , h higher than h and
h higher than h

, but h

is still higher than h

. The maximum value of cos =

cos are 1 and the minimum value of cos = cos are 0, so the magnitude of
apparent weight that felt by passengers are change during the motion of the roller
coaster cars depend on the position of the car.
7 7
mg N =
R
v
g g
2
7
7
=
( )
|
|
.
|

\
|
= =
|
|
.
|

\
|
= =
R
h h g
g m mg N
R
v
g m mg N
'
7 7
2
7
7 7
2
u cos mg
So the apparent weight that felt by
passengers at this point is:
( )
( )
' 2
7
2
7
'
2
7
'
' 2
7
2
2 2
2
2
2
1
2
1
) 0 (
2
1
2
1
2
1
h h g v
mv h h mg
mv mgh mgh
mgh mv mgh m
mgh mv mgh mv
EM EM
F F A A
F A
=
=
=
+ = +
+ = +
=
u cos g
( )
|
.
|

\
|
+
R
h h g
g m
u
u
2
cos
( )
R
h h g
g
u
u

+
2
cos
|
.
|

\
|
+
R
gh
g m
2
R
gh
g
2
+
( )
|
.
|

\
|
+
R
h h g
g m
u
u
2
cos
( )
R
h h g
g
u
u

+
2
cos
u cos mg u cos g
( )
|
.
|

\
|

R
h h g
g m
o
o
2
cos
( )
|
|
.
|

\
|

R
h h g
g m
'
2 ( )
R
h h g
g
'
2

Based on table1, the maximum magnitude of apparent weight that felt by

passengers is in point 3 that located at the bottom of the valley at path B-C-D at
the roller coaster track, that is . Because the maximum apparent
weight that felt by passengers are 8g and m =1 (our normal weight is 1g), so the
value of should be 7g in order to make the value of
The minimum magnitude of apparent weight that felt by passengers is in
point 7 that located at the top of the mountain at path E-F-G at the roller coaster
track, that is . Because the minimum apparent weight that felt
by passengers are 0 and m =1 (our normal weight is 1g), so the value of
should be g in order to make the value of

PROBLEM B

The Radius R of the Arc of the Circle that Fits
The Bottom of Valley
From the previous explanation, we know that the value of should be
7g, so . Then we also know that the value of should be g so













Based on Equation 1 and 2, we can conclude that:








|
.
|

\
|
+
R
gh
g m
2
R
gh 2
g
R
gh
g m 8
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
( )
|
|
.
|

\
|

R
h h g
g m
'
2
( )
R
h h g
'
2
( )
0
2
'
=
|
|
.
|

\
|

R
h h g
g m
h R
R
h
g
R
gh
7
2
2
7
7
2
=
=
=
( )
g g
R
gh
g
R
gh
g
g
R
gh
R
gh
g
R
h h g
=
=
=
=

7
2
2
7
2 2
2
'
'
'
'
R
gh 2
( )
R
h h g
'
2
3
3
2
6
6
2
'
'
'
h
R
R
h
g
R
gh
=
= =
=
Eq.1
Eq.
2
3 7
2
'
h
h R = =
Eq.3
PROBLEM C
The Height of h and the Possibility of Roller Coaster Cars Movement that
Keep on the Track Without any Machine if the Track Joining Lower Circle
and Upper Circle is a Straight Line
The top of the next mountain is an arc of a second circle of the same radius
R with the radius of circle that make bottom of a valley before the mountain at the
roller coaster track. From problem A, we know that the magnitude of apparent
weight that felt by passengers of the roller coaster cars is zero (0g) at the top of
the mountain at F that located h from the ground.
We can define the magnitude of h using the concept of the conservation
law of mechanical energy that has been showed in the previous problem. Finally
from equation 3, we know that so

Its impossible to keep the roller coaster cars remain stay moved on the
roller coaster track without any machine if we consider that the track joining
lower circle and upper circle is a straight line track and the mountain on the
track was an arc of the circle that caused centripetal force that influence the
motion of roller coaster cars at this path (path E-F-G). Its caused by the negative
value of the apparent weight that felt by passengers at point 6 when the roller
coaster cars moved in the arc of the second circle that make mountain when the
cars moved from E to F along the track that formed as an arc of the second circle.
The magnitude of the apparent weight that felt by passengers of the roller
coaster cars that equivalent with the magnitude of normal force of that cars at this
path of track if we consider the track of the car is an arc of a circle is:




3 7
2
'
h
h R = = R h h 3
7
6
'
= = Eq.4
( )
( )
( )
( ) ( )
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
h h mg R
R
mg
N
R
h h mg mgR
N
R
h h mg
mg N
R
h h g
g m N
=

=

=
|
.
|

\
|
=
2 cos
2 cos
2
cos
2
cos
Eq.5
Observe circle 2 that make mountain at the roller coaster track that
shown in figure below:

Figure11. The Valley and the Mountain of Roller Coaster





Based on equation 4, so

Then based equation 1, we know that so
Substitute equation 6 and 7 to the equation 5:


a
b
R

o
o
cos
cos
R a
R
a
=
=
o
o
cos
cos
R R c
c R R
c a R
=
+ =
+ =
o
o
o
o
cos
'
'
'
R R h h
c h h
c h h
+ =
=
+ =
R h h 3
7
6
'
= =
o
o
o
o
cos 2
cos 3
R R h
R R R h
+ =
+ =
Eq.6
h R
7
2
= R h
2
7
= Eq.7
( ) ( )
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
= = o o o
o
cos 2
2
7
2 cos 2 cos R R R mg R
R
mg
h h mg R
R
mg
N





The maximum value of cos is 1 so the maximum value of N is



It shown that the magnitude of the apparent weight that felt by passengers
at this position was negative because the value of (mg)
2
bigger than mg. Its
indicated that the roller coaster cars will be out of the track although it still touch
the track (shown with the normal force at this path) if we consider the track of
roller coaster cars is an arc of circle at this path.
So to make the car can move on the track without any machine if the track
joining lower circle and upper circle is a straight line, we must consider that the
track after straight line D-E is parabolic track, so roller coaster cars still have
velocity at h, that is velocity to the horizontal direction (v
x
).
Based on the conservation law of mechanical energy, total energy at any
points on the track is always constant (the differences between one positions to
another is in the change of the value of kinetic and potential energy). At point C
(bottoms of the valley), roller coaster cars have maximum velocity (v
x
and v
y
).
After passed this position, velocity of cars decreases because the cars climbs the
mountain of roller coaster track. The magnitude of velocity at this path (path D-E)
depends on the magnitude of angle between the track with the horizontal line and
also the high of cars at this path. The higher positions of the cars, the velocity of
cars become smaller.
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
o o
o o
o o
o o
cos
2
3
2 cos
cos
2
3
2 cos
cos
2
3
2 cos
cos
2
4 7
2 cos
mg mg N
mgR R
R
mg
N
R
R
mg R
R
mg
N
R
R R
mg R
R
mg
N
( ) ( )
2
1
2
1
2 1
1
2
3
2 1
mg mg mg mg N
mg mg N
mg mg N
= =
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
After passed the straight line track (path D-E), roller coaster cars will pass
parabolic track (path E-F-G). At this path, velocity of cars is the resultant velocity
from velocity of cars at the horizontal and vertical direction. Follow the properties
of parabolic motion, the magnitude of velocity at horizontal direction (v
x
) are
always constant (motion along straight line with constant velocity [GLB]) at any
point in this path, but velocity of cars at vertical direction are change go to zero
(roller coaster cars were slowing down) until it reach the top of roller coaster
mountain at F. At this position, the vertical velocity of cars (v
y
) is zero but cars
still can move to G because it still has horizontal velocity (v
x
) that always constant
along this path. The car speeding up again after it passed the top of mountain. The
shorter the height of cars, the resultant velocity of cars will greater follow the
concept of conservation law of mechanical energy. Same with the previous case,
resultant velocity at path F-G also depend on the velocity at horizontal and
vertical direction.
PROBLEM D
The Changes of Apparent Weight that Felt by Passengers of the Roller
Coaster Cars during Their Journey















PROBLEM E
The Reason Why the First Hill in Roller Coaster Ride
Be the Highest One
We must make the first hill in roller coaster ride be the highest one in
order to make maximum value of potential energy of that system. If at that first
hill roller coaster cars have zero velocity, the magnitude of energy mechanic at
any position of cars at that roller coaster is same with the magnitude of potential
energy of cars at the first hill. The higher the height of the first hill, the
mechanical energy of that roller coaster car will also be greater. Energy mechanic
at any points at this system is remain constant (follow the conservation law of
mechanical energy), the difference between one position to others is at the
magnitude of kinetic and potential energy that always changes depend on the
velocity and the height of cars at any position.
So if roller coaster cars move through the track of roller coaster that has
the highest position at the first hill, roller coaster cars still can pass the next hill
(or mountain) that shortened than the first hill because it has enough energy to
pass it points. But if the next hill higher than the first hill, roller coaster cars cant
pass this point because it doesnt has enough energy to pass this point if we dont
use any machine to produce some force to pull roller coaster cars until it reach the
top of the next hill that has higher position than the first hill.