As reported on Channels 13 and 9, physics final exam a real roller coaster

Students took final exam at Great Escape

Students taking the physics final at RCS High School on Thursday were in for a roller coaster of a test – literally.

Approximately 40 students from RCS joined peers from around the Capital Region at the Great Escape Theme Park in Lake George to take their final exam for their physics lab class. While taking the exam, students conducted experiments while riding numerous thrill rides at the amusement park.

“It’s one of the big drawing cards for getting into this class. They know they are going to go and do physics tests for real on these rides,” said teacher Scott Holdren.

The test asked students questions such as:

• What is the vertical drop on certain roller coasters?

• What velocity does the car travel on a specific coaster?

• What is the acceleration rate on certain points of a ride?

• How much acceleration is robbed from the system during a drop on the ride?

• What is the coefficient of friction during the first drop of a coaster?

• What is your potential energy at the top of the first hill of the Comet?

• How much work was needed to move your car up the first hill of the coaster?

Holdren said the students worked in teams so that those who can’t, or won’t ride some of the thrill rides can remain on the ground filling in the paperwork and making calculations to answer the questions.

“This is a great way of challenging our students while at the same time making learning fun,” said school Superintendent Vicki Wright.