Extreme rollers: physics helps two adventurous skaters pull off amazing stunts

Science World, Nov 22, 2004 by Britt Norlander

* Riding a roller coaster isn't the only stunt Dirk Auer has mastered on skates. He has been pulled by a motorcycle at over 290 kilometers (180 miles) per hour on a closed section of a highway in Germany.

CRITICAL THINKING.

* After reading the story, have students discuss how wind resistance and Newton's laws of motion influence other sports.

CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:

HISTORY/ART: Research the history of roller skates. Then, create an illustrated time line, highlighting significant events related to the invention.

RESOURCES

* Grolier search terms: Issac Newton, wind resistance

* To find out about the physics behind many everyday objects and activities, see: http://howthingswork.virginia.edu/

* For more on overcoming air resistance, check out: www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/aerodynamics1.html

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

Name: --

DIRECTIONS: Match the word(s) in the left column with the correct phrase in the right column.

--1. velocity                         a. energy of motion
--2. force                            b. resistance to change in motion
--3. gravitational potential energy   c. push or pull
--4. kinetic energy                   d. slowing force due to air
                                         molecules
--5. centripetal force                e. speed in one direction
--6. inertia                          f. force that causes an object
                                         to move in a circle
--7. air resistance                   g. stored energy due to height

1.e 2. c 3. g 4. a 5. f 6. b 7. d

ANSWERS

1. b 2. a 3. d