Roller Coaster Introduction

Roller Coasters
Introduction
Lesson

History of Roller Coasters

• The 1stroller coaster was

long, steep wooden slides
covered in ice, some as
high as 70 feet.

• Used rolling carts similar to

sleds

• Created in Russia in the 16th

and 17thcenturies.

Multiple Choice

Where was the 1st roller coaster created?

• America

• China

• Russia

• France

Multiple Select

When was the 1st roller coaster created?

• 16th century

• 17th century

• 18th century

• 19th century

Multiple Choice

The 1st roller coaster carts looked like...

• modern coaster carts

• trains

• mini cars

• sleds

Multiple Choice

The 1st roller coaster used _______.

• water

• wax

• sleighs

• Ice

History of Roller Coasters

• The French evolved the

roller coasters due to
warmer temperatures
causing the ice to melt

• The French started building

wax coasters instead.

• 1st to add wheels to the

carts

• 1st to attach the cart to the

track

Russian Mountains of Belleville

Multiple Choice

Why did the French change the design of the roller coaster?

• Warmer temperatures

• It wasn't fun to ride

• Not enough room for ice coasters

• It was outlawed in their country

Multiple Choice

What did the French use instead of ice to create their coasters?

• Old train tracks

• Soap and water

• Wax

• slides

Multiple Choice

The French were the 1st to add what change to roller coaster carts?

• seatbelts

• wheels

• steering wheels

• brakes

Multiple Choice

What other major change did the French make?

• Added higher hills

• Added brakes to the end of the coaster

• Attached the cart to the coaster

• Attached individual carts together

History of Roller Coasters

• The 1st American Roller

Coaster was created in
Pennsylvania in the mid
1800s

• Located in the mountains

and designed to be a
scenic tour

• Cost 5 cents to ride up to

the top of the mountain
followed by a wild, bumpy
ride back down

• Called the Switchback Railway

Multiple Choice

What was the 1st American Roller Coaster called?

• Switchback Railway

• Mountains of Belleville

• Railroad Express

• Pennsylvania's Railroad

Multiple Choice

What state had the 1st American Roller Coaster?

• Ohio

• Florida

• California

• Pennsylvania

Multiple Choice

How much did it cost to ride the Switchback Railway?

• $5

• $.05

• It was free

• Pay $10 admission into the amusement park

History of Roller Coasters

• Over the next 30 years, scenic coasters continued to thrive

and were the foundation to creating wooden roller
coasters

• By the 1920s, roller coasters were in full swing, with some

2,000 rides in operation around the country.

• Start to see Amusement Parks rather than stand alone

rides.

History of Roller Coasters

• Walt Disney opened the first steel roller coaster, the

Matterhorn Bobsled, at Disneyland in Anaheim, California,
in 1959.

Multiple Choice

Where was the 1st steel rollercoaster located?

• Pennsylvania Mountains

• Florida

• California

• France

Multiple Choice

What was the name of the 1st steel roller coaster?

• Steel Coaster

• Matterhorn Bobsled

• Switchback Railway

• Disneyland

Multiple Choice

What year was this steel roller coaster developed?

• 1959

• 1920's

• 17th century

• 2005

How do Roller Coasters Work?

• Roller Coasters are moved by gravity, energy, and momentum.
• To build up this momentum, the train has to get to the top

of the first hill.

• This can be achieved through a chain lift or a catapult lift

Momentum

Most roller coasters use a chain lift or a catapult launch lift
to start the ride, which builds momentum.

Momentum: How hard it is to stop a moving object

chain lift

Launch Lift

Energy

Potential energy: Stored energy. Energy that has the ability
to do something

Kinetic energy: Energy in motion

Gravity

Gravity: The force that PULLS the roller coaster down the hill
and toward Earth

Gravity
pulling

Gravity
pulling

Multiple Choice

A chain lift works like a

• lever

• elevator

• launchpad

• conveyor belt

Multiple Choice

Which type of lift launches coaster carts up the hill at high speeds

• Catapult lift

• Chain Lift

• None

Multiple Choice

What is momentum?

• The force that PULLS the roller coaster down the hill and toward Earth

• Stored energy

• Energy in motion

• How hard it is to stop a moving object

Multiple Choice

What is gravity?

• The force that PULLS the roller coaster down the hill and toward Earth

• Stored energy

• Energy in motion

• How hard it is to stop a moving object

Multiple Choice

What is potential energy?

• The force that PULLS the roller coaster down the hill and toward Earth

• Stored energy

• Energy in motion

• How hard it is to stop a moving object

Multiple Choice

What is kinetic energy?

• The force that PULLS the roller coaster down the hill and toward Earth

• Stored energy

• Energy in motion

• How hard it is to stop a moving object

Multiple Choice

As the coaster is going down the hill, the roller coaster has

• Potential Energy

• Kinetic Energy

Multiple Choice

At the top of the hill, the roller coaster has

• Potential Energy

• Kinetic Energy

Multiple Choice

Going down the hill, the roller coaster has

• Potential Energy

• Kinetic Energy

Multiple Select

The chain lift or catapult lift help build the roller coaster's

• Gravity

• Kinetic Energy

• Momentum

Multiple Choice

This pulls the roller coaster going down the hill

• Gravity

• Potential Energy

• Momentum