rollercoaster

Why rollercoaster safety bars rarely fail: physics explained

A gripping simulation illustrates why you likely wouldn’t fall out of a rollercoaster seat even if the safety bar failed. Rollercoasters are intriguing from a physics standpoint due to their heavy reliance on gravity. These rides operate based on two Newtonian principles: gravity and inertia. As the coaster ascends the hill, potential energy builds up, causing it to accelerate once…