Amusement Park Physics -- Design a Roller Coaster: The loop

A perfect circle, 35 meters high

An elliptical loop, 35 meters high

No loop

Select the loop.

Adding a loop to your coaster adds the thrill of inversion to the other elements of speed and the pull of gravity. Loops and rolling loops are considered a "necessity" for any steel coaster; however, you don't find them presently on wooden coasters.
What kind of loop do you want to add?
Choose one of the selections on the left and then click on the button below.
Hint: The shape of your loop determines the speed it will take to safely get around the loop and the pull of gravity that riders feel as they move around its perimeter.

Back to Roller Coaster

"Amusement Park Physics" is inspired by programs from The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond.