The Detonator
The following points will be investigated:
- The relationship free-fall has with other aspects of physics
This report will not however be investigating into rollercoaster loops or centripetal force as these do not apply to ‘The Detonator’ and are too advanced for this piece of writing.
Measurements
Initial velocity- u
Final velocity- v
Displacement- s
Acceleration- a
Mass- m
Gravitational force- g
Time- t
For this report average measurements are used as follows:
(All measurements shown to 2 d.p.)
Masses-
- Child/young adult- 35.00kg
- Adult- 65.00kg
- Large adult- 90.00kg
In an 8:3:1 ratio
Mass of car- 10000kg
Height of free-fall tower-30.78m
Braking distance- 9.32m
Calculations
All working will be shown in full as an aid to appreciating the full physics of the ride.
Due to the ride being in a free-fall situation the acceleration downwards is therefore equal to the gravitational force-9.81ms-2
Initial velocity-
0.00ms-1
Final velocity-
v2=u2+2as
v2=02+2 X 9.81 X 30.77
v=√603.7074
=24.57045787
24.57ms-1
Breaking Force-
The detonator car holds 12 riders at one time. When studying the ride it was noticeable that the average rider ratio is 8 Children:3 Adults:1 Large Adult. I will calculate the braking force for a car full of large adults, a car full of adults and a car full of children. I will then work out what the average braking force would be using the average user ratio.
The formula F=ma will be used to find the braking distance, however we do not yet know the acceleration so this will need 2 be found
Firstly the acceleration needs to be found, using the following formula:
Acceleration-
v2=u2+2as
a=v2- u2
2s
a= 24.570457872 -02
2x9.23
a= 603.7074
18.46
=32.7035428
a= 32.70 ms-2
Breaking force-(12 children)
F=ma
F=(12x35.00+10000) X 32.7035428
F=10420 X 32.7035428
340770.916
F=340770.92N
Breaking force-(12 adults)
F=ma
F=(12x65+10000) X 32.7035428
F=10780 X 32.7035428
=352544.1914
F=352544.19N
Breaking force-(12 Large adults)
F=ma
F=(12x90+10000) X 32.7035428
F=11080 X 32.7035428
=362355.2542
F=362355.25N
Breaking force-(8 Children:3 Adults:1 Large Adult- Average)
F=ma
F=(8x35+3x65+1x90+10000) X 32.7035428
F=(280+195+90+10000) X 32.7035428
F=10565 X 32.7035428
=34551.9297
F=34551.93N
These calculations are based on the forces used being the only forces acting therefore they may not be as accurate as is possible. To create the most accurate results other forces such as friction will need to be considered.
Evaluation
The physics used in the theory for ‘The detonator’ closely relates to that of a falling lift in a tall building –the initial velocity being negative, zero or low and the final velocity being very high and the coming to an abrupt halt, breaking force being the mass of the lift plus the mass of the passengers multiplied by the acceleration. Some lifts travel at the same constant acceleration as gravity so as to be more efficient.
When riding the detonator accelerations of up to 5.5g can be experienced (G-force) this means that the person riding the detonator has a force acting on them 5.5 times the size of gravitational force.
In the future rides such as this may be made taller or faster, there are however many limitations to designers; if the ride is made taller:
- More power will be need to lift the car to the top of the tower.
- A larger breaking distance will be needed.
- More safety equipment will be needed
All in all, the detonator has many forces acting upon it and its rider making it an exciting and enjoyable ride.
Bibliography
Sang,David-Gibbs,Keith-Hutchings,Robert-Physics 1,pgs 71,33.
Thorpe Park Website -http://www.thorpeparkguide.com/parktour/attracts/detonator/index.shtml
The Physics Classroom Website-http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/1DKin/U1L5b.html
Amusement Park Physics-
Physics Day at a Theme Park Website-http://ali.apple.com/ali_sites/ali/lessonideas/PhysicsDay.html
