How Do Roller Coasters Loop?

What You'll Learn

• Roller coasters climb a tall hill using a chain or motor to gain height
• At the top, the coaster has lots of stored energy called potential energy
• As it falls, potential energy turns into speed, called kinetic energy
• Speed creates a force that pushes you toward the outside of the loop
• This outward push helps keep the coaster on the track even when upside down

Words to Know

Roller coaster

A fast ride that goes up, down, and around loops

"The roller coaster looped upside down."

Potential energy

Stored energy from being high up

"The coaster had potential energy at the top."

Kinetic energy

Energy of motion

"Faster speed means more kinetic energy."

Force

A push or pull

"The track pushed the coaster around the loop."

Check What You Learned

Fun Facts

• Roller coasters convert gravitational potential energy at the top of a hill into kinetic energy (speed) as they descend

  Source: Britannica / physics of amusement rides

• A chain lift or launch motor raises the train to the initial height

  Source: IAAPA / roller coaster design

• At the bottom of the first drop, kinetic energy is maximized

  Source: physics education resources

• In a loop, centripetal force directed toward the center of the circle keeps the train on the track

  Source: HowStuffWorks

• Inertia causes riders to feel pressed into their seats, especially at the top of the loop

  Source: physics textbooks

• Engineers calculate the minimum speed required at the loop's base to complete the loop without losing contact

  Source: IAAPA