Where Can I Build a Roller Coaster Online

You are not alone if you have ever asked yourself, "Where can I build a roller coaster online?" Thrill-seekers of all ages can now do more than just ride the rails -- they can also create their own virtual coaster with just a few clicks of a mouse.

Build roller coasters online.

There are several websites that offer model simulators to help you build a roller coaster. You can do this just for the fun of it, especially if you are a hobbyist or a roller coaster fanatic. Educationally speaking, teachers use these types of simulators to help students learn the basics of physics. Teaching them via the Internet can better explain the dynamics behind these thrill rides such as:

• Kinetic energy
• Potential energy
• Inertia
• Gravity
• Velocity
• G-force
• Friction
• Centripetal acceleration
• Conservation of energy

Roller coaster designers use similar software to create rides for amusement parks. Since roller coasters are usually custom-made, engineers have a lot of room to be creative. Simulations allow them to choose basic, suspended, straight or looping tracks. These programs also allow them to take the environment, design elements and even the park's budget into account when creating the ride. Once the roller coaster is virtually designed, engineers can start building the actual ride.

This technology dramatically cuts down on the time it takes to design and construct an actual coaster. Years ago, architects and engineers sat down and hand-drew the designs. Today, that same work can be done in just a fraction of the time.

Designing a roller coaster on the Internet is not a new concept. For quite a few years, various gaming companies have offered contests where players could build and race their own roller coasters online. The catch is these virtual coasters can go faster and be more aerodynamic than any ride in real life.

Funderstanding has a basic coaster applet available, but you need a java-enabled browser to use it. The goal of this simulator is get the roller coaster across the track without crashing it or having it fly off. This applet allows you to create:

• Two hills
• One loop
• Speed
• Mass
• Gravity
• Friction

Discovery Kids has a user-friendly design program that allows you to "drag and drop" the tracks of your roller coaster into place. You can choose from a variety of loops, hills and tunnels. Once you finish building it, click on submit and watch your coaster go! What's really cool is after the coaster run its course, an automatic feedback box will appear judging you on your work.

Amusement Park Physics allows you to use the physics concepts used by real roller coaster designers and create your own virtual thrill ride. It will even have to pass a virtual inspection before it can run! This site allows you to decide the:

• Height and shape of the first hill
• Exit path
• Height of second hill
• Loop

You can read about why you failed inspection (if you do) or you can go back and rework your coaster until it works correctly.

This website allows you to not only create a fun roller coaster, but then use it in video game play. Once you lay your tracks and adjust your properties, you can then run your coaster and collect coins for points. The faster your roller coaster goes, the more points you can earn.

If you are looking for directions on how to build a scaled down model of a roller coaster, you can check out these sites:

• PBS Kids has instructions on how to make a "marble loop-de-loop" on a track.
• The Tech Museum of Innovation has directions on creating a roller coaster for classroom use.
• Reach Out Michigan explains how to make a simple roller coaster using vinyl tubing and BBs.

No matter how you look at them, roller coasters are fun and exciting thrill rides. Building your own via the Internet allows you to use your imagination, learn a few things about physics and have fun in the process. After you do that, you will never have to ask, "Where can I build a roller coaster online" again.

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