Educational Product National Aeronautics and Teachers Grades 5–9 and Students Space Administration EG–2003–03–010 GRC Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist A Middle School1 Guide for Amusement Park Physics Day Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist EG–2003–03–010–GRC Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist is available in electronic format through NASA Spacelink—one of the Agency’s electronic resources developed for use by the educational community. This publication and other educational products may be accessed at the following address: http://spacelink.nasa.gov/products About the cover: This picture of the Corkscrew was taken at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Used with permission. ©1995 Joe Schwartz www.joyrides.com 2 Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist EG–2003–03–010–GRC Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist A Middle School Guide for Amusement Park Physics Day National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA Glenn Research Center Microgravity Science Division National Center for Microgravity Research on Fluids and Combustion Office of Educational Programs NASA Headquarters Office of Biological and Physical Research This publication is in the public domain and is not protected by copyright. Permission is not required for duplication for classroom use. For all other uses, please give credit to NASA and the authors. EG–2003–03–010–GRC B–1073 Apr 03 3 Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist EG–2003–03–010–GRC Acknowledgments The K–12 Educational Program group at the National Center for Microgravity Research on Fluids and Combustion developed this educator guide at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. This publication is a product of 4 years of development and testing with over 1500 students at Six Flags and Cedar Point in Ohio. Special thanks go to the teachers who formally piloted this program with over 900 students. Their feedback was invaluable. Project manager: Pilot teachers: Carla B. Rosenberg William Altman Michael Eier National Center for Microgravity Horace Mann Middle School Glenwood Middle School Research on Fluids and Combustion Lakewood, Ohio Findlay, Ohio Cleveland, Ohio Megan Bolvin Cindy Mast Contributing authors: Roosevelt Middle School Emerson Middle School Carol Hodanbosi, Ph.D. Springfield, Ohio Lakewood, Ohio Carla B. Rosenberg National Center for Microgravity Wendy Booth James Nold Research on Fluids and Combustion Fairport Harbor High School Hudson Middle School Cleveland, Ohio Fairport Harbor, Ohio Hudson, Ohio Samantha Beres Matthew Broda Elaine Peduzzi Chimayo, New Mexico Erwine Middle School Ford Middle School Akron, Ohio Brook Park, Ohio Melissa J. B. Rogers Macedonia, Ohio Rick Chiera Karen Rayl Bolich Middle School Wickliffe Middle School Ann Schwartz Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Wickliffe, Ohio Emerson Middle School Lakewood, Ohio Debbie Dobney Michelle Smith McCormick Middle School Hillside Middle School Reviewers/editors Wellington, Ohio Seven Hills, Ohio Richard DeLombard NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio Thomas Jacobson National Center for Microgravity Research on Fluids and Combustion Cleveland, Ohio John Fellenstein Max Hayes Vocational High School Cleveland, Ohio Special thanks to photographer Joe Schwartz for his permission to use his ©1995 pictures on the following pages: 7, 9, 15 (2), 37, 38, 64, 65, 67, 68 (2), 69, 71 (3), 73, 78, 80 (2), 82, 83 (2), 85, 86, 95, 112, 121. 4 Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist EG–2003–03–010–GRC Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 7 Correlation to National Education Standards........................................................................... 11 Background .............................................................................................................................. 14 Basic Skills ............................................................................................................................... 26 Time .................................................................................................................................. 26 Distance ............................................................................................................................ 26 Eye Level Height ............................................................................................................... 27 Altitude Tracker .................................................................................................................. 28 Altitude Tracker Template .................................................................................................. 29 Altitude Estimation Methods .............................................................................................. 31 Scale Drawing Method .................................................................................................. 31 Altitude Tracker Worksheet ................................................................................................ 32 Flagpole Height Worksheet ............................................................................................... 34 Structure Estimation .......................................................................................................... 35 Structure Estimation Worksheet ........................................................................................ 37 Accelerometer ...................................................................................................................39 Errors in Measurement...................................................................................................... 41 Classroom Activities ................................................................................................................. 43 Pendulums—Part 1 ........................................................................................................... 45 Pendulums—Part 2 ........................................................................................................... 47 Collisions—Part 1 .............................................................................................................. 49 Collisions—Part 2 .............................................................................................................. 50 Marble Run—Part 1........................................................................................................... 52 Marble Run—Part 2........................................................................................................... 53 Marble Run—Part 3........................................................................................................... 55 Marble Run—Part 4........................................................................................................... 57 NASA Connection .................................................................................................................... 59 Student Reading Guide ..................................................................................................... 61 Student Reading Guide Answer Key ................................................................................. 62 Free-Fall Rides .................................................................................................................. 64 Roller Coasters.................................................................................................................. 65 Bumper Cars .....................................................................................................................66 Carousels .......................................................................................................................... 67 Roller Coasters—Loops .................................................................................................... 68 Pendulum Rides ................................................................................................................ 69 Ride Work Book ....................................................................................................................... 71 Free-Fall Rides .................................................................................................................. 73 Roller Coasters—Initial Hill ............................................................................................... 75 Bumper Cars .....................................................................................................................77 Roller Coasters—Floater Hills ........................................................................................... 79 Carousels .......................................................................................................................... 81 Roller Coasters—Loops .................................................................................................... 82 Pendulum Rides ................................................................................................................ 84 Worksheets for Nonattending Students............................................................................. 86 5 Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist EG–2003–03–010–GRC Answer Key .............................................................................................................................. 98 Pendulums—Part 1 ........................................................................................................... 98 Pendulums—Part 2 ........................................................................................................