Inertia Amusement Park Ride the Cyclone

Newton’s 2nd Law

Shooting Gallery

The second law states that the acceleration of an object is dependent upon two variables - the net force acting upon the object and the mass of the object. The Shooting Gallery shows this law of motion by the bullet knocking the target down. The net force of the object thrown at the target, in this case a bullet, must be bigger than the net force of the target.

Potential Energy

The Cyclone

Potential Energy is the energy an object has when it has the possibility to move. The Cyclone (rollercoaster) possesses the most potential energy when the cart is on the brink of going down a drop. Factors that affect the Potential Energy include mass, gravity, and height. As the Potential Energy gets bigger, so does the Kinetic Energy. Kinetic Energy will never be bigger than Potential Energy.

Electric & Magnetic Forces

Electric forces act between all charged particles, whether or not they're moving. The magnetic forces act between moving charged particles. Together, these create electromagnetism. Electromagnetism is the interaction between electric charges, magnetic moments, and the electromagnetic field. These forces create some of the lights we see on the Ferris Wheel, and power the motor for it, as well as many other rides.

Ferris Wheel

Newton’s 3rd Law

Newton's 3rd Law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The bumper cars show this by one car smacking into the other. Although the recoil isn't as big as the bump, there are many other factors that play into how much the bumper car that gets hit reacts, like friction.

Bumper Cars

Kinetic Energy

Slides

Kinetic Energy is the energy something has while being in motion. The slides show this energy simply because when you go down the slide, the Potential Energy converts into Kinetic Energy. Potential Energy always converts into Kinetic Energy when an object moves.

Gravitational Forces

Gravitron

Gravitational force pulls objects with mass toward each other. Like many of the other forces and laws, this force can be found in any of the rides. Gravitational force plays a big part in how you stick to the walls inside of the Gravitron. The walls push against you as your body pushes back. You are pinned in the Gravitron by forces that can feel as strong as 3g.