Roller coaster
The roller coaster (some people say the simple form coaster) is a kind of amusement ride. A roller coaster is like a train. It has a number of carriages that travel on a set of tracks. This track has hills and valleys (hills and valleys are parts of the track that go up and down), and sometimes has other features that will turn the train upside-down. The track can be made from wood or steel. Some roller coasters are made for children, so they do not travel very fast. Other roller coasters are made very tall and they travel very fast. Riders are generally restrained in place with a bar, a belt, or something similar.
[change] Science
A roller coaster works because of gravity, a force that pulls things down to the ground. Most roller coaster trains are pulled to the top of a hill with a machine. The train will slide down the track, which has a number of hills and valleys. As it slides down a hill, it will travel faster.
[change] History
In the United States, LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first roller coaster on January 20, 1865. He named his ride the "Switchback Railway," and workers pulled the carriage to the top of the track. The first modern steel roller coaster was the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland. It opened in 1959.
[change] Famous Roller Coasters
| Name | Park | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Kingda Ka | Six Flags Great Adventure | The tallest roller coaster in the world. |
| Formula Rossa | Ferrari World Abu Dhabi | The fastest roller coaster in the world. |
| Steel Dragon 2000 | Nagashima Spa Land | The longest roller coaster in the world. |
| Takabisha | Fuji-Q Highland | The steepest roller coaster in the world. |
