*Question/topic- What is the importance and role of physics/engineering when it comes to theme park rides (roller coasters, bumper cars) and their operations?
Listed Research
1) A article about the physics involved (and the importance of physics) in roller coasters. [academic search premier]
http://web.ebscohost.com.bob.csueastbay.edu:443/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=21&sid=5cbafcfa-862a-4875-b89d-8a13e179a795%40sessionmgr2
2) A book [from the library catalog which includes many pieces of information about the different concepts of applied physics, which can be related to theme park rides.
| Author | Beiser, Arthur. |
| Title | Applied physics [electronic resource] / by Arthur Beiser ; abridgement editor, George J. Hademenos. |
| Publ. info. | New York : McGraw-Hill, 2003. |
http://libcat.csueastbay.edu/search?/Xphysics&SORT=D/Xphysics&SORT=D&SUBKEY=physics/1%2C4251%2C4251%2CB/frameset&FF=Xphysics&SORT=D&38%2C38%2C
3) An online (world wide web) website with a great example and demonstration of how physics in action works for roller coasters.
http://search.eb.com/coasters/ride.html
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ESSAY ON THE RESEARCH
My research topic took me a long time to decide on as I had many different choices and options to sort through. However, after much thought, I eventually came up with the idea/question of, what is the importance and role of physics/engineering when it comes to theme park rides (roller coasters, bumper cars) and their operations? This is a question that both interested and challenged me and I saw it as a great opportunity to apply my newly learned researching skills!
As I began to layout all of my different options and possibilities I wasn't completely sure as to where I wanted to start. After I thought over everything I finally decided to begin my research by starting with Academic search premier. I thought this would be best to start with as it would give me a good idea of where this topic is going to take me and what is in store for the research. Well, I was right, it turned out to be challenging and at the same time rewarding, as with effort, I found what I was looking for. Academic search premier yielded me a few potential pieces of research that I could use to answer my question, but based on the content, I narrowed it down to the main one. Next I decided to use the library catalog because I thought it would be both appropriate and helpful. It turns out that my assumptions were right on. I found a few things but of course after i tried many different combinations and possibilities. The catalog yielded me a book that is in the library that is all about physics and its principles in everyday life, something that is very relevant to my topic.
When it comes to search terms there was a lot of trial and error until I began to use ones that were more proper in terms of yielding results and I could see why. I used a countless amount of them, a lot of them being spin offs and different combinations of previous searches. Some, for example were, "physics of roller coasters," "roller coasters science" "bumper cars physics" "theme park science" etc. The list continues with a lot more but these ended up being the core searches that gave me the best results. I applied a lot of evaluative techniques based on the results that were given to me. On some searches essentially nothing showed up that was decent or usable for my research, but on others I received what I was looking for. This helped me understand what was and was not working with my searching techniques. I analyzed the results and made a conclusion based on them, it was helpful as it gave me a better insight on where to go in the future. I also ended up making a fair amount of adjustments to my searches based on a need for more information and a general lack of usable results. The adjustments that were made were trying different databases with the same search terms, and trying different search terms with different databases, essentially I explored near all possibilities.
(LISTED RESEARCH WITH BASIC INFO--also posted above for reference)
1) A article about the physics involved (and the importance of physics) in roller coasters. [academic search premier]
http://web.ebscohost.com.bob.csueastbay.edu:443/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=21&sid=5cbafcfa-862a-4875-b89d-8a13e179a795%40sessionmgr2
2) A book [from the library catalog which includes many pieces of information about the different concepts of applied physics, which can be related to theme park rides.
| Author | Beiser, Arthur. |
| Title | Applied physics [electronic resource] / by Arthur Beiser ; abridgement editor, George J. Hademenos. |
| Publ. info. | New York : McGraw-Hill, 2003. |
http://libcat.csueastbay.edu/search?/Xphysics&SORT=D/Xphysics&SORT=D&SUBKEY=physics/1%2C4251%2C4251%2CB/frameset&FF=Xphysics&SORT=D&38%2C38%2C
3) An online (world wide web) website with a great example and demonstration of how physics in action works for roller coasters.
http://search.eb.com/coasters/ride.html
Each source yielded me information that I found to be suitable for my question. It shed light on many different things. If you look at the text of this research it really answers my question and then some! Each source had information that was credible and backed up. Some things which I know understand to be critical when it comes to information and sources. I kept the basic bibliography information for each source so I and the reader would have a basic understanding of what it meant, and even more important, I made sure it would be easy to refer back to at a later time (posted above).
A statement that I would write about what I newly learned about my cluster topic would go like this. "Based on one simple question I now have a much greater understanding of how massive and relevant the topic of physics is to our everyday lives."
I would continue my research even further by talking to professionals in the field of physics by having a one on one discussion on my topic. This could help a lot as well as provide a lot of information!
Two complex questions:
1) Could the science (physics) of the roller coaster ever be overcome or canceled out by some sort of force/energy (i.e. Einstein theory's etc)?
2) How can you determine/calculate the specific amount of energy/force needed to overcome obstacles (gravity etc) on the roller coaster?
_Another database that I feel I could use is the Britannica Online database search. I feel that it could give good explanations and definitions of things that could be better clarified relating to my question.
To sum the whole project up I would have to say that this entire project and research went a lot smoother then I anticipated. When I actually put what I learned into action I became more aware of how to properly utilize the knowledge. And to top it all off I learned some interesting and valuable information about my cluster.
--------Daniel O'Brien LIBY
Citation of Sources
Beiser, Arthur.Applied physics [electronic resource] / by Arthur Beiser ; abridgement editor, George J. Hademenos.Publ. info. New York : McGraw-Hill, 2003.
Title: Roller coasters put physics lessons on track. Curriculum Review, 01472453, Database: Academic Search PremierRoller coasters put physics lessons on track Section: Scientific Notations Sep2006 Vol. 46, Issue 1
Executive Producer Peter Esmonde, http://search.eb.com/coasters/ride.html
1 comment:
You suggest that you took you longer to think about formulating your topic than searching. That's typical, but I hope you found out that in the end, it's worth it. Usually, the more thought you put in up front, the easier your search will go and the more fruitful the results.
I see that you are still using phrases, e.g., "physics of roller coasters." If you will use "physics" in one box, the Boolean operator AND, and "roller coasters" in the second box, you will probably get better results. In most cases, there should be more of them because your results will be as "on target" as the search phrase you used, but you won't eliminate records with those terms in them simply because they don't show up in the string you require with your phrase.
You have done a thorough search of a general database, the catalog, and the web. You haven't search a discipline-based database.
I like your idea of interviewing. That would give you primary source material.
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