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the WGBH Educational Foundation
This short video was created to demystify the process of the center-seeking centripetal force and how it acts to keep objects moving along a curved path. The video uses footage of a looping roller coaster and a high school student swinging a cup of water around his head without spilling. It's a well-balanced, engaging explanation of what makes a roller coaster rider feel pinned to the seat -- it's not just the seat belt, it's centripetal force pushing the cars downward toward the center of the loop. Resource includes background information and discussion questions.
PBS Learning Media is a growing collection of videos, lessons, and activities assembled by researchers, scientists, and experienced teachers to promote the use of digital resources in the classroom. Please note that this resource requires Flash. Editor's Note: Why we like it -- this video does a remarkably good job of explaining why you feel a sensation of being thrown outward from the center during circular motion, although there is no outward net force. It will help students differentiate centripetal force from the fictitious "centrifugal force". See Related Materials for a video from the International Space Station that demonstrates centripetal force in a weightless environment.
Next Generation Science StandardsDisciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)
Forces and Motion (PS2.A)
Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)
Cause and Effect (K-12)
Systems and System Models (K-12)
Structure and Function (K-12)
Interdependence of Science, Engineering, and Technology (K-12)
Science is a Human Endeavor (3-12)
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)4. The Physical Setting
4B. The Earth
4F. Motion
This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.
Topic: Kinematics: The Physics of Motion
Unit Title: The Case of Roller Coasters This short video does a great job of demonstrating centripetal force and how it acts to keep objects moving along a curved path. What makes a rider on a roller coaster feel a sensation of being thrown outward from the center during a loop, although there is no outward net force? The video serves to help beginners understand the dynamics of circular motion. Link to Unit:
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=12475">WGBH Educational Foundation. PBS Learning Media: Centripetal Force - Roller Coaster Loops. Boston: WGBH Educational Foundation, 2008.</a>
AIP Format
(WGBH Educational Foundation, Boston, 2008), WWW Document, (https://oeta.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.roller/centripetal-force-roller-coaster-loops/).
AJP/PRST-PER
PBS Learning Media: Centripetal Force - Roller Coaster Loops (WGBH Educational Foundation, Boston, 2008), <https://oeta.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.roller/centripetal-force-roller-coaster-loops/>.
APA Format
PBS Learning Media: Centripetal Force - Roller Coaster Loops. (2008). Retrieved December 2, 2024, from WGBH Educational Foundation: https://oeta.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.roller/centripetal-force-roller-coaster-loops/
Chicago Format
WGBH Educational Foundation. PBS Learning Media: Centripetal Force - Roller Coaster Loops. Boston: WGBH Educational Foundation, 2008. https://oeta.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.roller/centripetal-force-roller-coaster-loops/ (accessed 2 December 2024).
MLA Format
PBS Learning Media: Centripetal Force - Roller Coaster Loops. Boston: WGBH Educational Foundation, 2008. 2 Dec. 2024 <https://oeta.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.roller/centripetal-force-roller-coaster-loops/>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{
Title = {PBS Learning Media: Centripetal Force - Roller Coaster Loops},
Publisher = {WGBH Educational Foundation},
Volume = {2024},
Number = {2 December 2024},
Year = {2008}
}
Refer Export Format
%T PBS Learning Media: Centripetal Force - Roller Coaster Loops %D 2008 %I WGBH Educational Foundation %C Boston %U https://oeta.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.roller/centripetal-force-roller-coaster-loops/ %O application/flash
EndNote Export Format
%0 Electronic Source %D 2008 %T PBS Learning Media: Centripetal Force - Roller Coaster Loops %I WGBH Educational Foundation %V 2024 %N 2 December 2024 %9 application/flash %U https://oeta.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.roller/centripetal-force-roller-coaster-loops/ Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in 2 shared folders. You must login to access shared folders. PBS Learning Media: Centripetal Force - Roller Coaster Loops:
Same topic as
PBS Learning Media: Teaching from Space - Centripetal Force
Five-minute video of an astronaut in the weightless environment of the International Space Station, demonstrating centripetal force without the complicating interaction of gravity. relation by Caroline Hall
Is Supplemented By
Physics Classroom: Centripetal Force
Detailed explanation of centripetal force and its relationship to Newton's Law of Inertia. Includes illustrations, animation, and self-paced study questions. relation by Caroline HallKnow of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
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