Science Fair Projects on Roller Coasters

Science fair projects on roller coasters will definitely take you for a ride. Whether you are a fan of riding them or designing them, these engineering experiments will give you a whole new appreciation for roller coasters. If you're ready, let's explore the world of roller coasters with science.

How high can a roller coaster go safely? This is a hypothesis that can spawn many science fair projects on roller coasters. One experiment you can complete is to see how high you can build a stable model roller coaster (to scale). This will give you an idea about extra supports are needed and what type of balancing mechanisms will be needed.

Do you love the loops and twists in a rolLer coaster's design? Well here is your chance to see how many loops and twists you can design into your own roller coaster. You can approach these science fair projects on roller coasters in two ways. First you can simply approach them from what is mechanically possible. The second way is to approach the problem from what is enjoyable, and will just make you sick to your stomach.

The third option that you have for these engineering based science projects is to pushed the boundaries of wooden roller coaster designs. Since wood has a different weight bearing limit than steal, and it is less pliable than steal, you will need to do more problem solving when designing a wooden roller coaster than you would for a steal roller coaster design. Before you start come up with a hypothesis that will require you to solve some problem with your roller coaster's design.

The fourth option that you have is to work on a steal roller coaster design. Again you will need to start with a hypothesis that poses some sort of mechanical challenge. For example, your hypothesis may be that steal roller coasters can't be operated when the temperature is below X degrees F because the steal's strength will be compromised at these temperatures. This is an engineering and a chemistry project. Is there a temperature threshold for steal roller coaster safety and if there is how can you get around this problem?

If you are looking for the ultimate roller coaster science fair project then consider solving this design problem: Design a double decker roller coaster. You can use wood or steal. What safety issues do you need to take into consideration? How would you need to design the track, and what would the cars look like? Also, how would these roller coasters help to move lines along faster at busy amusement parks? Would the cost for these roller coasters make them impractical?