Roller Coaster Physics Vocabulary
Terms
G-force - CORRECT ANSWER-A force acting on a body as a result of acceleration or
gravity, informally described in units of acceleration equal to one g.
Gravitational constant - CORRECT ANSWER-9.8 meters/ second squared
Gravity - CORRECT ANSWER-The force that attracts a body toward the center of the
earth, or toward any other physical body having mass
Kinetic energy - CORRECT ANSWER-Energy that a body possesses by virtue of being
in motion.
Acceleration - CORRECT ANSWER-The rate of the change of velocity over a period of
time.
Centripetal force - CORRECT ANSWER-A force that acts on a body moving in a circular
path and is directed toward the center around which the body is moving
Critical velocity - CORRECT ANSWER-The maximum speed a roller coaster can reach.
Force - CORRECT ANSWER-Strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or
movement.
Friction - CORRECT ANSWER-The resistance that one surface or object encounters
when moving over another.
Mechanical energy - CORRECT ANSWER-The sum of potential energy and kinetic
energy.
Potential energy - CORRECT ANSWER-The energy possessed by a body by virtue of
its position relative to others.
Speed - CORRECT ANSWER-The rate at which someone or something is able to move
or operate.
Velocity - CORRECT ANSWER-The speed of something in a given direction.
