Roller Coasters

 What most people don’t realize is that there are a lot of things that have to go into the making and proper running of a roller coaster. Once the roller coaster car reaches the top the rest is up to the proper planning of physics to get the train safely to the end of the ride. The physics action that creates this phenomenon is the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy. During the entire ride the kinetic energy and potential energy will never become great enough to overcome the initial potential energy at the top of the lift hill (This is only true if there is no friction).

To keep a rollercoaster car on the track there are three types of wheels that are used. The first type is called running wheels. The running wheels are put in place to guide the car along the desired path or track. Secondly there are friction wheels which are specifically designed to control the lateral motion (or the motion from either side of the track) of the train. The third set of wheels is placed to keep the car on the track even if there is an inverted portion of the ride.

To see a Picture of the tallest roller coaster in the world as of May 25, 2005 click:Kingda Ka (external link)