Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist - Space Flight Systems ...

Pendulum Rides
Ride Measurements—Answer Key
1.
Take the accelerometer on the ride. Label figure 1 where you
experienced
a. The highest g, lowest g, and 1 g
b. Your weight to be normal, heavier, or lighter
Lowest g,
lighter weight
Lowest g,
lighter weight
Figure 1.
Highest g,
heavier weight
2.
A daring rider wants to experience the greatest range of
g loads. Draw two arrows in figure 2 to indicate where he
or she should sit. Hint: Consider working with another
group or two, each sitting in different rows. Compare which
rows give the highest and lowest accelerometer readings.
3.
The KC–135 flies in a parabolic path, similar to the pendulum
ride. Draw the entire path of two KC–135 parabolas in the
box below. Circle the portion that is similar to the path of
the pendulum ride.
Figure 2.
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Amusement Park Physics With a NASA Twist
EG–2003–03–010–GRC