When we look at how forces work on a roller coaster using Newton's Laws, here's what happens:
First Law (Inertia): At the very top of the ride, the roller coaster wants to stay still or move straight unless something pushes or pulls it, like gravity.
Second Law (F=ma): When the coaster drops down, we can figure out the total force acting on it. The acceleration, or how fast it speeds up, comes from gravity and any other forces pushing it along. We can use the formula to show this.
Third Law (Action-Reaction): When the coaster presses down on the tracks, the tracks push back up just as hard. This reaction is what makes the ride so exciting!
When we look at how forces work on a roller coaster using Newton's Laws, here's what happens:
First Law (Inertia): At the very top of the ride, the roller coaster wants to stay still or move straight unless something pushes or pulls it, like gravity.
Second Law (F=ma): When the coaster drops down, we can figure out the total force acting on it. The acceleration, or how fast it speeds up, comes from gravity and any other forces pushing it along. We can use the formula to show this.
Third Law (Action-Reaction): When the coaster presses down on the tracks, the tracks push back up just as hard. This reaction is what makes the ride so exciting!