Magnetic Roller Coasters

HISTORY OF ROLLER COASTERS:

Origin- Russian Ice Slides
(first appeared in the 17th century)
built with lumber (wood)
Russians/French were given credit for adding wheels to the slides which created the original “roller coasters”
uphill chain start was eventually replaced by electromagnetism

http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/history/start/

Electromagnets- a device consisting of an iron or steel core that is magnetized by electric current in a coil that surrounds it.

Roller Coasters use electromagnets to accelerate the cars at a higher speeds than the older uphill chain starts. They are also used in the braking process which gradually slows the cars down by increasing the strength of the magnets on the track

USES OF MAGNETS IN ROLLER COASTERS:

Roller Coasters have many functions that involve electromagnets. They now use magnetic propulsion, the attraction of magnetic fields between the track and the bottom of the train. It creates a quick acceleration, where as before roller coasters relied on an uphill chain start. Magnetic brakes have also been applied to roller coasters so that magnets attract each other, which gradually slows down the roller coaster.

http://www.wisegeek.com/how-are-magnets-used-in-roller-coasters.htm

http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/roller-coaster2.htm

Magnetic Brakes

Up Hill Chain Start

PHYSICS

In replace of an uphill chain start, roller coasters use magnetic propulsion. When the ride starts the electromagnets on the car move closer to the electromagnets on the track. Then the engineer will flip a switch, creating an electric current through the car and the track. Initially, the magnets will attract due to opposite charges, but when the current is reversed the (like) charges propel the cars forward.

The Maverick, at Cedar Point, will accelerate from 0-70 mph in a matter of a few seconds due to electromagnetism.

The Rock n’ Roller Coaster at Orlando, Florida accelerates from 0 to 57 mph in 2.8 seconds due to electromagnetism.

The Maverick at Cedar Point- cost 21 million

The Rock n’ Roller Coaster at Orlando

Electromagnets are also used when roller coasters need to carefully slow down and stop like brakes would. A current runs through the conductor on the track which creates an opposite charge to the magnets on the car itself. The opposite charge forms a magnetic attraction between the track and the car which slows the car down. The magnets on the track gradually increase in strength so that when the car reaches the last magnet it will completely stop any motion.

http://filer.case.edu/users/tja12/Submissions/Group42/P122%20HW%204%20final.pdf

http://www.techyzone.com/technology/the-future-of-roller-coasters/

Electromagnetic Roller Coasters vs. Uphill Chain start (PROS VS. CONS)