PURPOSE:
To give the student experience in data gathering and calculations based on actual amusement ride physics.

INTRODUCTION:
The "Demon Drop" is a favorite ride at many amusement parks.  A car and riders are lifted to a height and then dropped. When the car reaches the end of its drop it is rotated to a horizontal position and then decelerates.

PROCEDURE:

1) You can adjust the background shading by clicking on the "Special" button to the right and selecting "Background". Click on the "Special" button and select "Print Blank Report" to obtain a web page that can be printed and used as a lab report. (the program will not be interrupted)

2) Record the mass of the car.

3) At the bottom of the screen is a little person with a red index line radiating from their head. Drag this line to the left and position it so that it passes through the center of point "A". Now drag the little person to the right and notice that a 45 degree blue line appears.  Position this line so that it also passes through the center of point "A". Since this blue line is at a 45 degree angle, the distance from the person to directly under the center of the point is the same distance from the ground up to the point. This distance is shown below the red index line. Record this value.

4) Repeat this same procedure for points "B", "C" and "D", record.

5) Start the ride. When the car reaches the left of the ride and starts to ascend, start the stopwatch. When the car reaches the top, stop the stopwatch. Repeat this several times and calculate an average. Record the average time.

6) Calculate the requested values asked for on the lab sheet and any given by your teacher. For help on these values click on the "Special" button and select "View Data & Hints". Select "File Report" to send a copy to be viewed by your teacher.