Physics Six Flags Physics Six Flags ProjectProject

Justin ArcherNick Gaumer

Andrew WangBaughman-6

Garett PesnellBaughman-5

QuestionQuestionHow areHow are g-force valuesg-force values related if at related if at

all toall to kinetic energykinetic energy onon the Mr. the Mr. Freeze ride at Six Flags?Freeze ride at Six Flags?

HypothesisHypothesis: There is a linear positive : There is a linear positive relationship between the number relationship between the number of g-forces & potential energy of g-forces & potential energy

If a linear correlation existsIf a linear correlation exists::• Create a linear best-fit lineCreate a linear best-fit line

If a nonlinear correlation existsIf a nonlinear correlation exists::• Create a power regression equationCreate a power regression equation• Create a logarithmic equationCreate a logarithmic equation

Hypothesis & ProposalHypothesis & Proposal

Materials usedMaterials usedData CollectionData Collection• Logger ProLogger Pro• LabProLabPro• ComputerComputer• TI-84TI-84• Single-axis accelerometerSingle-axis accelerometer

Data interpretation and Data interpretation and presentationpresentation

• Microsoft Excel and PowerpointMicrosoft Excel and Powerpoint• Macromedia Fireworks and FlashMacromedia Fireworks and Flash• Camtasia StudioCamtasia Studio

Raw Data from Raw Data from LoggerProLoggerProVisual representation of Visual representation of timetime (seconds) being on the (seconds) being on the

x-axis and x-axis and accelerationacceleration (m/s (m/s22)being on the y-axis)being on the y-axis

Data CalculationData CalculationTo get To get G-forceG-force • Acceleration values / 9.81 (acceleration Acceleration values / 9.81 (acceleration

of of gravity)gravity)• x 602 data pointsx 602 data pointsTo get To get Kinetic energyKinetic energy• Derivative of acceleration to get Derivative of acceleration to get

velocityvelocity• Estimated car mass values (3884.43 kg) Estimated car mass values (3884.43 kg)

assuming that cars are full and the assuming that cars are full and the average average person weighs 170 pounds on earthperson weighs 170 pounds on earth

• Squared velocity and multiplied it by Squared velocity and multiplied it by mass mass values. Divided the entire value by values. Divided the entire value by 2.2.

• x 602 data pointsx 602 data points

Visual Representation Visual Representation of Dataof DataG-forcesG-forces (x-axis) and (x-axis) and kinetic energykinetic energy (y- (y-

axis)axis)

Visual Representation Visual Representation of Dataof Data

G-forcesG-forces (x-axis) and (x-axis) and kinetic energykinetic energy (y-axis) (y-axis)

Results from Analysis of Results from Analysis of DataDataG-forcesG-forces (x-axis) and (x-axis) and kinetic energykinetic energy (y- (y-

axis) axis)

TypeType of correlation: of correlation:• Linear, power regression, and Linear, power regression, and

logarithmic regression (nonlinear) logarithmic regression (nonlinear) formulas all fail at producing a formulas all fail at producing a method to extrapolate or predict method to extrapolate or predict further data points.further data points.

• EquationEquation of correlation: of correlation:– NoneNone

ConclusionConclusionBased on analysis of a scatter plot with Based on analysis of a scatter plot with

g-forces being the explanatory g-forces being the explanatory variable (x-axis) and the magnitude of variable (x-axis) and the magnitude of kinetic energy (y-axis), kinetic energy (y-axis), no clear no clear correlationcorrelation was discovered nor was discovered nor calculated. Thus the hypothesis is calculated. Thus the hypothesis is void and the correlation is void and the correlation is determined to be nonexistent. determined to be nonexistent. However However more trialsmore trials and the and the actual actual mass amountmass amount would be necessary to would be necessary to be confident of this statement.be confident of this statement.

Click to launch animated data Click to launch animated data analysisanalysis

Click to see video of the Mr. Click to see video of the Mr. Freeze rideFreeze ride

MultimediaMultimedia

Video was shot from the mirror-image Mr. Freeze Video was shot from the mirror-image Mr. Freeze ride in Six Flags of St. Louis. ride in Six Flags of St. Louis.