Amusement Park Physics Presented by Vlad Pasek Bryan

Amusement Park Physics Presented by Vlad Pasek & Bryan Clintberg

Galaxyland at West Edmonton Mall • Galaxyland is a total indoor amusement park. • Originally constructed in 1983 under the name “Fantasyland”. • Total of 25 rides, 7 of which are classified as “advanced”. • When booking a school group, day passes for students are $8, with several free adult chaperone passes included.

History of Amusement Park Physics • Started off independent of WEM, only purchased regular group guest passes. • WEM saw possibility to promote themselves to schools. • Formed a partnership with us to develop student lab booklets and supporting materials for school groups.

Student Lab Booklets • Students can work in Galaxyland for a half or full day, depending on the depth of coverage. • During our trips we spend the morning at the mall. • Students can expect to use about 30 - 45 minutes of this time actually filling out and working on lab booklet.

Mindbender Rollercoaster • World’s largest indoor triple loop rollercoaster. • Questions involve: – qualitative observations of effect on weight at various points in ride – calculations of energies at various points, work, and power

Merry Go Round • Slow motion of ride allows for careful measurement of data. • Appeals to the more timid students. • Questions involve: – calculations of circular motion and centripetal acceleration and forces

Swing of the Century • Popular ride with the students. • Questions involve: – qualitative descriptions of various stages of the ride – calculations of circular motion, centripetal forces, and equilibrium.

Flying Galleon • Giant swinging ship. • Although it is not a perfect pendulum, we treat it as such for our calculations. • Questions include: – calculation of period of ship as a pendulum – comparison to actual period of ship

Bumper Cars • Many students take a break by going over to this ride. • Questions involve: – qualitative descriptions of various types of collisions

Space Shot • One of the newest rides at Galaxyland (it replaced the Drop of Doom). • Questions involve: – calculations of various forces on riders, including net forces. Happy Physics Teacher!

What to Expect on Field Trip • Book about 2 months in advance with WEM – Call 780 -444 -5321 • Pay by credit card over the phone for day passes. – Make sure to ask how many free chaperone passes you will get! • You will be told what entrance your bus should drop you off at (usually south entrance).

• Ticket stubs (worth one day pass) will be available from Guest Services in Galaxyland. – These may be picked up about 24 hours ahead of time, or on arrival. – Students take these tickets to any of the kiosks to get their day passes. – The tickets are printed with an expiry date (that day), so students can not keep them for another visit.

• We allow students to go to the food court attached to Galaxyland, but nowhere else. – One of us usually waits in the food court to answer student questions, while the other roams Galaxyland. • Have a prearranged time and place for the students to meet to leave. – Expect about a 15 minute wait as everyone is rounded up.