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Roller Coaster Loop Directions

At amusement parks, roller coasters are the rides that have the longest lines. You feel exhilaration at all of its twists and turns. There is a fair amount of physics which goes into making a successful roller coaster. When it is rising up the initial ascension of the track it is building up potential energy. When it is falling from the other side, it is converting all of the potential energy into kinetic energy. That is where all of the fun occurs.

Things You'll Need

Foam pipe insulation
Utility knife
Masking tape
Measuring tape
Marble

Instructions

- 1
  Cut two pieces of foam pipe insulation using a utility knife. One piece should be at least one third longer than the other.
- 2
  Curve the shorter piece into a loop with the middle of the piece located at the top of the loop. Using masking tape, tape the loop at the bottom to hold it together.
- 3
  Place the round piece and the long piece together so that the holes in the center of the pieces are even with each other. Tape the pieces together by placing masking tape where both pieces meet.
- 4
  Tape the end of the long piece to an object. The piece should be taped as vertical as possible, but with enough slant so that a marble will be able to roll down instead of fall down through the center.
- 5
  Tape the loop at the other end of the pipe to the ground. You should now have the initial drop which will give the marble its speed and the loop where the marble will end up.
- 6
  Measure the height of the loop and the height of the pipe where the marble will be placed. Make sure that the top of the pipe is at least twice as high as the height of the loop. Adjust if needed.

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