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

INTRODUCTION:
The "Devils Tower" is a ride found in many modern amusement parks.  It consists of a ring of seats that is carried to the top of a tower and then released.  The passengers experience free fall for a portion of the ride before air brakes are applied to slow their descent.  In this field lab you will take several measurements and determine distance, time and velocity.

The Devils Tower.

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A protractor with attached laser will be used to indirectly determine height

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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) Click on the red square found on the tube attached to the protractor at the left of the screen.  This turns on a red laser and will indicate where the tube is aimed.  Click and drag downwards the right side of the tube.  Notice that it moves where the tube aims.  Now click and drag the left side of the tube and notice the laser moves much slower.  This allows you to finely aim the tube.

3) Click and drag the protractor to about the middle of the screen. Click and drag the tube until the laser points at the red dot at the top of the tower. Read and record the value indicated on the protractor.  Record the distance from the protractor to the center of the tower at its base, listed below the protractor.

4) Click and drag the tube until the laser is aimed at the lower blue dot on the tower.  This is where the breaks are applied and ends the free fall portion of the ride. Read and record the angle and distance to the center of the tower.

5) NOTE: all friction can be ignored for the calculations.  In real life, the ride would drop slower than pure free fall because of air resistance and friction from the connection of the ride to the tower.

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.