“Physics Day” at Oaks Park each May is an excellent opportunity to feel the forces and collect data on various rides. All kinds of analysis can be done, including calculations of speeds, accelerations, forces, and energies.

The “.mov” movies may take a long time to load and play, so I would recommend downloading them before watching. Hover over the file name and right-click (or control-click on a Mac) and choose “download linked file as…”

The movie may then be inserted into Logger Pro and analyzed with the Video Analysis tools in Logger Pro. Find the speed of a rider on the carousel or a rider on the Screamin’ Eagle as it passes through its lowest point!

Resources

• Ride facts according to Oaks Park: Oaks Park Data Sheet
• Tualatin HS page with many useful measurements
• How the Electronic Data was collected

Carousel – Electronic data was collected while carousel was turning at full speed. The rider wearing the sensors was on an animal that was going up and down.

• Video : Carousel (.mov)
• Electronic data (LoggerPro file): Carousel Data to Analyze.cmbl
• Electronic data (pdf): Carousel

Ferris Wheel – Electronic data was collected for several full revolutions, then the ride stopped at one position to load and unload, then continued again for a bit

• Electronic data (LoggerPro file):Ferris Wheel data to analyze.cmbl
• Electronic data (pdf):Ferris Wheel

Frog Hopper – Electronic data was collected for the full duration of the ride.

• Video (entire duration of ride): Frog Hopper (YouTube)
• Electronic data (LoggerPro file):Frog Hopper Data to Analyze.cmbl
• Electronic data (pdf):Frog Hopper

 Looping Thunder – Electronic data was collected for the entire ride. 

• Video (loop only): Loopin Thunder – Loop Only (.mov)
• Video (entire duration of ride): Looping Thunder – Entire Ride (YouTube)  
• Electronic data (LoggerPro file): Looping Thunder Data to Analyze.cmbl
• Electronic data (pdf):Looping Thunder

Screamin’ Eagle

Electronic data was collected for the first 90 seconds of this ride, so there is not data for the times when the pendulum is swinging at its maximum amplitude.

• Video (pendulum nearing times of maximum amplitude): Screamin Eagle Fast (.mov)
• Electronic data (LoggerPro file): Screamin Eagle Data to Analyze.cmbl
• Electronic data (pdf):Screamin’ Eagle

 

Additional Resources for Teachers

St. Louis AAPT Physics Day page