Story by Cheyann Carr, Abriel Mata, and Raston Copeland/COMM 2311-601
Photos by Robin Lusk/COMM 1318
It may not be Space Mountain or Expedition Everest from Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, but a roller coaster at South Plains College can come in all sizes, shapes and forms. Just ask the students in PHYS 1410 Elementary Physics lab.
About two dozen students recently worked in teams to build their own roller coasters. Tracks were made out of recycled poster boards, string, tape, scissors, stapler, and thread.
The object of the lab was to build the longest running track. Teams could use a rubber ball, metal ball bearing, or glass marble in various sizes to follow their tracks.
Each coaster had to include one 180 degree turn and one 360 degree turn.
The teams could use tables, white boards, window sills, the sink, really anything but the walls to aid in the construction of their coaster. Some used chairs, rolling carts, personal water jugs, cups, and plastic tubs to help support their tracks.
“What I learned today in our experiment,” says student Andrea Chavez, “was that for a ball to accelerate at a faster rate, it has to be at the very top. You put it at the very top and it’s going to roll to the bottom fast.” South Plains College Professor of Physics Kim Bouldin says students learned about energy conservation in this lab.
“They will start the marble on the highest part of their track,” she says, “and this will be the maximum amount of energy they will give their marble. Every hill after the first will need to be shorter because of energy lost to friction.” Bouldin says she loves this lab and students do too.
“It does not require a lot of math or expensive resources,” Bouldin says.
“Students are encouraged to be creative and play. Some students have never played in this way before and most find it refreshing and fun.”
Student Cora Hawkins, who was a member of the winning team, says, “I was just glad we could all use our strengths and work towards winning.”
In the end, all the planning and taping her team members did paid off. They used tracks supported by a tall, rolling cart for a successful run.
“Teamwork does make the dream work,” she says.
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