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Physics in Action: Rollercoasters!

In this one-time class, I will teach learners about useful and wasted energy transfers, and some of the engineering challenges of making fun rollercoaster rides
Cecilia Astolfi
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(8)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

The topics covered will be: 
- forces acting on people (and on the cart) when riding a rollercoaster, including the centripetal force
- transfers of gravitational, thermal and kinetic energy
- the idea of conservation of energy, input vs wasted and useful output 
- Application of Newton's laws to understand how our body reacts on a rollercoaster

The class will be structured around simple power point slides and the use of a free online simulation (created by the University of Colorado Boulder; no account needed). All the necessary keywords will be explained; no prior knowledge necessary. 

My teaching style is interactive: I like to ask questions to stimulate learners' own thinking, and I am happy to try and answer any questions they have!

Other Details

Parental Guidance
The online simulation has no scary or upsetting content, it runs in any browser, and does not require an account. Students will be encouraged to explore it freely to see how different factors affect energy stores and motion. Here is the link: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/energy-skate-park
Supply List
If you have a toy rollercoaster, bring it to class!
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
We will use a free online simulation, no account needed: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/energy-skate-park
Joined July, 2022
5.0
8reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Science
Master's Degree in Science from University of St Andrews
Master's Degree in Education from University of Cumbria
Master in Physics and 7 years of teaching experience. 

Reviews

Live One-Time Class
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$15

per class

Meets once
55 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
4-8 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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