Roller Coaster Physics!!
Created by K Crossley and S Yesnick, 5/20/08; revised 5/24/10
You will be learning about fantastic roller coasters, and then constructing your very own “scream machine”! Use the websites below for your stomach-flipping research! Create a bibliography and cite all your sources in NoodleTools.
Database: NoodleTools: Encyclopedias are considered a reference source – not duplicated from a printed work. Do NOT provide a URL.
Encyclopedia Britannica: Roller Coaster Physics - http://search.eb.com/coasters/ride.html
Websites: NoodleTools: Cite as websites. DO provide a URL for websites.
1. Annenberg Media Learner.com: Amusement Park Physics - http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/ - At this site you can learn about the history of roller coasters and design your own!
You can also research rollercoaster designers and see the most ambitious ones under “Coasters of the Future” at this link: http://search.eb.com/coasters/index.html 
2. Funderstanding Roller Coaster - http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/ - Be patient while this loads on your computer! Design your own roller coaster using the principles of physics.
3. Roller Coaster Physics: The Science Behind the Thrills – http://ffden.phys.uaf.edu/211_fall2002.web.dir/Shawna_Sastamoinen/Roller_Coasters.htm - Written by a University of Alaska student for her physics class!
4. Rollercoaster Database - http://www.rcdb.com/ - Look up your favorite roller coasters to learn the statistics about them.
5. Discovery.com: Build Your Own Coaster - http://dsc.discovery.com/games/coasters/interactive.html - You can create a roller coaster by putting together different track pieces. You are judged based on how scary your coaster is!
6. Thinkquest: The Physics of Amusement Parks - http://library.thinkquest.org/2745/ - Read about the physics of roller coasters here. There are also coaster statistics at http://library.thinkquest.org/2745/data/coastats.htm
7. HowStuffWorks: How Roller Coasters Work - http://science.howstuffworks.com/roller-coaster.htm
8. Joyrides.com - http://www.joyrides.com/ - Here are photos of many amusement park rides, including many roller coasters.
9. Sci-Quest: Build a Roller Coaster - http://www.sci-quest.org/home/just_for_kids/coaster.phtml - Choose the right track sections, speed and friction to get your roller coaster to the end!
