Denitsa Yotova’s Weblog

(Pdphoto.org)

When life gets dull and grey, everyone needs a little getaway.

The amusement park is one of those places where people can escape the mundane reality, where both children and adults can blend together and become story characters with equal powers. Most importantly, it is the place where thrill-seekers can find exciting roller coasters and rides.

As Learner.org explains,

“For many people, there is only one reason to go to an amusement park: the roller coaster. Some people call it the “scream machine,” with good reason. The history of this ride reflects a constant search for greater and more death-defying thrills. “

While most people rarely think about the science and fantasy efforts behind the creation of all those fun rides, for the curious geeks and those who are interested in exploring the magical process, there is a solution.

The Amusement Park Science exhibit begining today at the Atomic Testing Museum in the UNLV neighborhood, offers a vast array of information and activities.

The doors open at 10 a.m. and as noted on the museum website, “families and kids of all ages will enjoy the ‘physics behind the fun’ when they experience this new exhibit.”

Some of the highlights include “wild rides video kiosk, bump-o-ramma, wacky waves, bumper blaster, create-a -coaster, k’nex activity area, wild wheels road block, momentum machine” and much more.

It sounds like fun, but how did roller coasters really came to be?

“In the 1600s in Russia, the forerunners of present-day roller coasters were huge blocks of ice that were fashioned into sleds, with straw or fur on the icy seat for passenger comfort. Sand was used to help slow down the sled at the end of the ride to keep it from crashing, a technique based on the principle of friction. Later, more elaborate wooden sleds were built with iron runners to increase the speed and intensity of the ride.

The first American coasters
America’s amusement park history begins on Coney Island in 1875. Railway companies, in search of ways to keep passenger usage up on the weekends, set up parks here at the end of the rail lines and introduced weekend and summer activities. The first rides at these parks were carousels, but in 1884, the first gravity switchback train was introduced. This was the first true roller coaster in America…

A new era for roller coaster design
In 1955, the nation’s first theme park opened: Disneyland. Not only did Disneyland usher in a new era for amusement parks, it also helped bring about some radical changes in roller coaster design. Up until this time, coasters were built out of wood, which limited the way loops could be handled. In 1959 Disney introduced the Matterhorn, the first tubular steel coaster. The exciting features we expect from today’s coasters–loops, a corkscrew track, and stability–can be traced back to this first steel coaster…

 How do roller coasters work?

“What you may not realize as you’re cruising down the track at 60 miles an hour is that the coaster has no engine. The car is pulled to the top of the first hill at the beginning of the ride, but after that the coaster must complete the ride on its own. You aren’t being propelled around the track by a motor or pulled by a hitch. The conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy is what drives the roller coaster, and all of the kinetic energy you need for the ride is present once the coaster descends the first hill..

Once you’re underway, different types of wheels help keep the ride smooth. Running wheels guide the coaster on the track. Friction wheels control lateral motion (movement to either side of the track). A final set of wheels keeps the coaster on the track even if it’s inverted. Compressed air brakes stop the car as the ride ends. ” (Learner.org)

The Amusement Park Science exhibit will be housed at the Atomic Testing Museum until July 16, 2008. The museum is located on 755 E. Flamingo Road

For more information, ticket prices and hours of operation, visit http://www.atomictestingmuseum.org/index.htm. 

For more information about roller coasters, visit http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster.html.