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Another force acting on you is acceleration. When the coaster is moving at a constant velocity, you only feel the effects of gravity. However, as the speed of the coaster changes you feel the push of acceleration, againt your seat or harness. This force feels strong because of your body's interia, or resistance to acceleration. As stated in Newtons First Law, a object in motion will stay in motion if not destrupted. In this case, you're body is the object and acceleration is the distruption.. When the ride speeds up, the seat in the cart pushes you forward, accelerating motion. WHen the car slows down, it accelerates you backwards, slowing you down. Humans tend to feel acceleration coming from the opposite direction as it is actually coming from. This "acceleration" force feel much like the force of gravity, and roller coasters use this to their advantage. When the coaster changes its position to the ground, it can make the forces of acceleration and gravity interact with each other in a varity of ways. When they balance each other out, you feel weightless or if you're being pulled upward, you'll feel heavier. |
