Research Question:

How do the sudden shifts in a rollercoaster’s gravitational acceleration affect heart rate?

Karolina BuczekD’Arcy Hearn

Mairin O’ConnorDan Pratt

Carla SigonaYalan Wu

HypothesisHypothesis

The sudden changes in gravitational The sudden changes in gravitational acceleration while on the rollercoaster acceleration while on the rollercoaster will cause a sudden increase in the test will cause a sudden increase in the test subjects’ heart rates. subjects’ heart rates.

Nitro: Fast FactsNitro: Fast FactsRide CategoryRide Category ThrillThrill

Top SpeedTop Speed 80 mph80 mph

LengthLength 5394 ft (1+ mile)5394 ft (1+ mile)

DurationDuration 3 minutes3 minutes

CapacityCapacity 3 trains/36 riders each3 trains/36 riders each

DropDrop 215 ft215 ft

Maximum HeightMaximum Height 230 ft230 ft

IntroducedIntroduced Spring 2001Spring 2001

Angle of DescentAngle of Descent 66 degrees66 degrees

Additional InformationAdditional Information 7 camelbacks, 7 camelbacks,

1 hammer head, 1 hammer head,

1 S-curve, 1 highly-1 S-curve, 1 highly-banked double helix banked double helix

Variables & ControlVariables & Control Independent VariableIndependent Variable

Gravitational AccelerationGravitational AccelerationEarth's gravity, denoted by g, refers to the gravitational Earth's gravity, denoted by g, refers to the gravitational

attraction that the Earth exerts on objects on or near its surface. 1g is attraction that the Earth exerts on objects on or near its surface. 1g is 9.81m/s².9.81m/s².

Dependent VariableDependent VariableHeart Rate (After Ride)Heart Rate (After Ride)

Heart rate is impacted by stress or force exerted on the human Heart rate is impacted by stress or force exerted on the human body. In the case of the rollercoaster, extreme and sudden body. In the case of the rollercoaster, extreme and sudden changes in altitude, direction and speed were the sources of changes in altitude, direction and speed were the sources of this stress. this stress.

ControlControlHeart Rate (Resting), test subjects, change in g Heart Rate (Resting), test subjects, change in g

force throughout the ride, test subjects had previously force throughout the ride, test subjects had previously been on the ride. been on the ride.

The resting heart rates of each test subject were taken The resting heart rates of each test subject were taken before the first ride in order to determine the control for before the first ride in order to determine the control for

the the experiment.experiment.

Heart RateHeart Rate

The average heart The average heart rate for teenagers rate for teenagers (16 years and older) (16 years and older) is 60-100 beats per is 60-100 beats per minute.minute.

MaterialsMaterials

1 Heart Rate Monitor 1 Heart Rate Monitor (type) (type)

1 Force Meter1 Force Meter Nitro RollercoasterNitro Rollercoaster

(Six Flags Great (Six Flags Great Adventure)Adventure)

PensPens PaperPaper

ParticipantsParticipants

Test SubjectsTest Subjects Karolina BuczekKarolina Buczek Katie MoscowitchKatie Moscowitch Mairin O’ConnorMairin O’Connor

OthersOthers Yalan WuYalan Wu

(Reader– Force Meter)(Reader– Force Meter)

D’Arcy HearnD’Arcy Hearn(Reader– Heart Rate Monitor)(Reader– Heart Rate Monitor)

Carla SigonaCarla Sigona(Recorder)(Recorder)

Dan Pratt Dan Pratt (Photographer)(Photographer)

Test Subjects Others

ProcedureProcedure1.1. Measure and record resting heart rate of each test Measure and record resting heart rate of each test

subject. subject. 2.2. Test subjects and force meter reader board the Nitro Test subjects and force meter reader board the Nitro

rollercoaster.rollercoaster.3.3. During the ride, forces during dips, peaks and bank During the ride, forces during dips, peaks and bank

turns are read.turns are read.4.4. Heart rates are recorded immediately after the ride Heart rates are recorded immediately after the ride

concludes. (While recording heart rate, the monitor is concludes. (While recording heart rate, the monitor is to be placed on the right arm and held up against the to be placed on the right arm and held up against the heart).heart).

5.5. Force readings from the ride are recorded, and Force readings from the ride are recorded, and multiplied by 9.81m/s² to convert into acceleration. multiplied by 9.81m/s² to convert into acceleration.

6.6. After resting heart rate is restored, complete four more After resting heart rate is restored, complete four more trials: repeat steps 1-5.trials: repeat steps 1-5.

7.7. Interpret and analyze recorded figures.Interpret and analyze recorded figures.

DataDataHeart RateHeart Rate

(Beats Per Minute (Beats Per Minute ±5 BPM)±5 BPM)

Test Test SubjectsSubjects

Trial 1Trial 1 Trial 2Trial 2 Trial 3Trial 3 Trial 4Trial 4 Trial 5Trial 5

BeforeBefore AfterAfter BeforeBefore AfterAfter BeforeBefore AfterAfter BeforeBefore AfterAfter BeforeBefore AfterAfter

Karolina Karolina BuczekBuczek 8787 6969 123123 126126 9696 127127 9797 115115 103103 110110

Katie Katie MoscowitchMoscowitch 108108 163163 105105 102102 110110 134134 102102 120120 100100 105105

Mairin Mairin O’ConnorO’Connor 121121 101101 8585 8888 9999 106106 101101 112112 9797 110110

12

34

5

69

126 127

115

110

87

123

96 97 103

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Heart Rate (Beats Per Minute)

Trial Number

Test Subject- Karolina Buczek Heart Rate Before and After Riding Nitro

Series1

Series2

12

34

5

163

102

134

120

105108

105 110

102100

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Heart Rate (Beats Per Minute)

Trial Number

Test Subject-Katie Moscowitch Heart Rate Before and After Riding Nitro

Series1

Series2

12

34

5

101

88

106 112110

121

85

99 101

97

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Heart Rate (Beats Per Minute)

Trial Number

Test Subject-Mairin O'Connor Heart Rate Before and After Riding Nitro

Series1

Series2

AnalysisAnalysis

These graphs demonstrate that heart These graphs demonstrate that heart rate increases for the test subjects after rate increases for the test subjects after experiencing sudden changes experiencing sudden changes gravitational acceleration.gravitational acceleration.

Data Data

Section of RideSection of Ride Gravitational acceleration Gravitational acceleration (g; 1g=9.81m/s²) (g; 1g=9.81m/s²) ± 0.5g± 0.5g

Plateau (1)Plateau (1) 1 1

First uphill (2)First uphill (2) 0 0

First downhill (3)First downhill (3) 4 4

Second uphill (4)Second uphill (4) 2 2

Second downhill (5)Second downhill (5) 3 3

Dip (6)Dip (6) 11

Third uphill (7)Third uphill (7) 0 0

Third downhill (8)Third downhill (8) 4 4

Dip 2 (9)Dip 2 (9) 1 1

Fourth uphill (first turn) (10)Fourth uphill (first turn) (10) 0 0

Bend in turn and drop (11)Bend in turn and drop (11) 3 3

Second Plateau (12)Second Plateau (12) 1 1

Fifth Uphill (13)Fifth Uphill (13) 0 0

Fifth downhill (14)Fifth downhill (14) 2 2

Uphill (15)Uphill (15) 1 1

Turn & downhill (16)Turn & downhill (16) 3 3

Third Plateau (17) Third Plateau (17) 1 1

Sixth Downhill (18)Sixth Downhill (18) 2 2

Seventh uphill (19)Seventh uphill (19) 0 0

Seventh downhill (20)Seventh downhill (20) 2 2

Eighth Uphill (21)Eighth Uphill (21) 0 0

Eighth Downhill (22)Eighth Downhill (22) 2 2

Ninth uphill (23)Ninth uphill (23) 0 0

Ninth Downhill (24)Ninth Downhill (24) 22

Tenth Uphill (25)Tenth Uphill (25) 00

Tenth downhill (26)Tenth downhill (26) 11

Change in Gravitational Force Throughout Nitro

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Section of Nitro

Series1

2 per. Mov. Avg. (Series1)

AnalysisAnalysis This graph shows that throughout the roller This graph shows that throughout the roller

coaster, Nitro, there were multiple, sudden coaster, Nitro, there were multiple, sudden changes in gravitational acceleration.changes in gravitational acceleration.

At the beginning, certain sections and the end of At the beginning, certain sections and the end of the ride, the test subjects experienced the the ride, the test subjects experienced the normal gravitational acceleration 1g-9.81m/s².normal gravitational acceleration 1g-9.81m/s².

Throughout the ride, there were multiple Throughout the ride, there were multiple changes in this acceleration due to the variation changes in this acceleration due to the variation in g force at different points (heights) in the ride.in g force at different points (heights) in the ride.

Test SubjectsTest Subjects

Average Heart RateAverage Heart Rate(Beats Per Minute ±5 (Beats Per Minute ±5

BPM)BPM)

Average Gravitational Average Gravitational AccelerationAcceleration

(m/s²)(m/s²)

BeforeBefore AfterAfter BeforeBefore DuringDuring

Karolina BuczekKarolina Buczek 101.2101.2 109.4109.4 9.819.81 13.5813.58

Katie MoscowitchKatie Moscowitch 105105 124.8124.8 9.819.81 13.5813.58

Mairin O’ConnorMairin O’Connor 100.6100.6 103.4103.4 9.819.81 13.5813.58

Average Heart Rate Versus Average Gravitational Acceleration

9.81

Karolina Buczek

Katie Moscowitch

Mairin O'Connor

100.6

105

101.2

98

99

100

101

102

103

104

105

Heart Rate (Beats Per Minute)

Gravitational

Acceleration

(m/ s²)

Average Heart Rate of Each Test Subject Versus Gravitational Acceleration Before Riding Nitro

Karolina Buczek

Katie Moscowitch

Mairin O'Connor

AnalysisAnalysis

This graph demonstrates the resting This graph demonstrates the resting heart rate of each test subject when they heart rate of each test subject when they experience the standard gravitational experience the standard gravitational acceleration of 9.81 m/s². acceleration of 9.81 m/s².

13.58

Karolina Buczek

Katie Moscowitch

Mairin O'Connor

103.4124.8

109.4

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Heart Rate (Beats Per Minute)

Gravi tational

Acceleration

(m/ s²)

Average Heart Rate of Each Test Subject Versus Gravitational Acceleration After Riding Nitro

Karolina Buczek

Katie Moscowitch

Mairin O'Connor

AnalysisAnalysis

This graph demonstrates that the This graph demonstrates that the average heart rate for each test subject average heart rate for each test subject increased after experiencing the sudden increased after experiencing the sudden changes in gravitational acceleration changes in gravitational acceleration while riding Nitro.while riding Nitro.

ConclusionConclusion

After looking at a majority of the trials, it After looking at a majority of the trials, it has been concluded that the sudden has been concluded that the sudden changes in gravitational acceleration changes in gravitational acceleration caused by riding Nitro does affect an caused by riding Nitro does affect an individuals heart rate, causing it to individuals heart rate, causing it to increase.increase.

Error AnalysisError Analysis

There were three test subjects, but only one heart rate There were three test subjects, but only one heart rate monitor. While one test subject’s heart rate was being monitor. While one test subject’s heart rate was being read, the others’ heart rates were stabilizing.read, the others’ heart rates were stabilizing.

The test subjects should have gone on the ride at The test subjects should have gone on the ride at different times.different times.

There was difficulty working the heart rate monitor and There was difficulty working the heart rate monitor and the heart rates were stabilizing when trying to figure it out.the heart rates were stabilizing when trying to figure it out.

The reading of the heart rate monitor was inaccurate due The reading of the heart rate monitor was inaccurate due to human error because the numbers changed.to human error because the numbers changed.

We weren’t allowed to take the equipment on We weren’t allowed to take the equipment on the ride, causing our results to be inaccurate.the ride, causing our results to be inaccurate.

The force meter readings are not accurate The force meter readings are not accurate because it had to be read while on the ride.because it had to be read while on the ride.

““Fright Fest” may have affected the change in Fright Fest” may have affected the change in heart rate of the individual test subjects due to heart rate of the individual test subjects due to the presence of “zombies” and other creatures. the presence of “zombies” and other creatures.

The test subjects only rode one roller coaster, The test subjects only rode one roller coaster, therefore only testing the gravitational force therefore only testing the gravitational force changes of one roller coaster on heart rate.changes of one roller coaster on heart rate.

Error Analysis ContinuedError Analysis Continued

ImprovementsImprovements Instead of bulky heart rate Instead of bulky heart rate

monitors that were not allowed monitors that were not allowed on the rides, we should have on the rides, we should have used watches that monitor heart used watches that monitor heart rate and that won’t fall off rides.rate and that won’t fall off rides.

The test subjects could ride Nitro The test subjects could ride Nitro more than five times to improve more than five times to improve the accuracy of the results.the accuracy of the results.

The test subjects could also ride The test subjects could also ride various roller coasters multiple various roller coasters multiple times to demonstrate the effects times to demonstrate the effects of the different types of of the different types of gravitational force alteration gravitational force alteration (loops, turns or hills) on heart (loops, turns or hills) on heart rate.rate.

Improvements ContinuedImprovements Continued

Three heart rate Three heart rate monitors should have monitors should have been used.been used.

The use of a digital force The use of a digital force meter would eliminate meter would eliminate any inaccuracies of the any inaccuracies of the reading.reading.

Going to Six Flags on a Going to Six Flags on a day that “Fright Fest” day that “Fright Fest” wasn’t occurring would wasn’t occurring would improve the accuracy of improve the accuracy of the heart rates.the heart rates.

Carla’s First Roller Coaster Ride