what is the reason in terms of physics....
2007-06-03 18:14:08 · 7 answers · asked by Meh... 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
If friction is ignored, then the coaster will take the same amount of time, full or not.
If friction is not ignored, then the trip will take longer each time another person is added. Think about it... friction results from how hard the cart is pushing on the rails. The more people in the cart, the harder the cart is pushing on the rails, and the strong friction is.
2007-06-03 20:15:22 · answer #1 · answered by Boozer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The two forces to worry about the most are gravity and friction.
The difference between a coaster full of people and one empty is mass. On human and roller-coaster scales, gravity operates independently of mass. Therefore, taking only gravity into account, the two coasters would take the same exactly time.
However, friction depends on mass. The more mass, the more friction. The relevant equation is linear: twice as much mass will supply twice as much force in the form of friction.
That force works against the locomotion of the coaster, causing it to work slower. Therefore, a roller coaster with more people in it should operate slower than an empty roller coaster.
This assumes everything else is the same. The two roller coasters would be constructed exactly the same and the environmental conditions are exactly the same. Changes in temperature, wind, and other factors may give wildly different answers. Construction of the rolling parts, particularly the bearings, can have a huge affect on the total friction in the system. This can in turn affect the performance of the coaster.
2007-06-03 18:42:52 · answer #2 · answered by Doug Luce 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All of these answers are wrong. Ignoring friction, yes they would take the same time. With more people (assuming it has good wheel bearings it will be faster with more weight. Or rather it will slow down at a slower rate. The top speed will not be any faster of couse. This is because when the coaster was lifted up to the top a loaded coaster has more potential energy to dispense. There is no ligic in saying a loaded coaster has more friction and is therefore slower. There is a slight increase in the rolling friction but a huge increase in the momentum. The other source of fritction (wind resistance) does not change with weight. If you would like a practical proof of this take two peanut butter jars, one full and one empty and start them sliding on your counter top at the same initial speed. Which one goes farther?
2007-06-03 23:09:58 · answer #3 · answered by Aeroncaman 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Except for more friction encountered by the full roller coaster they would be pretty close.
The full one loses!
2007-06-04 04:56:35 · answer #4 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it would. After being towed to the 'top' of the first drop, all of the forces acting on the roller coaster are gravitational. And gravitational acceleration is independent of mass.
Doug
2007-06-03 18:18:44 · answer #5 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
During downward desent potenial energy is converted into Kinetic Energy and During upward raise its Vice versa. hence de effect of load or mass has no effect on speed or time.
((if u find better explanation r even de contridicatory ans plz do send me a mail maxilous@rediffmail.com))
2007-06-03 18:31:24 · answer #6 · answered by maxilous 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'm pretty sure a rollercoaster full of people would take less time because of the fact that: More mass = more speed/momentum
2007-06-03 18:16:40 · answer #7 · answered by mc_muffin 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋