Roller Coaster: What makes a roller coaster so exhilarating?

Katie

01/24/25

Introduction

While some fear thrilling roller coasters, others ride roller coasters for the thrill of it. So, what is the logic and science behind the thrill of roller coasters that some dread and others crave? The answer can be found by innovators applying the principles from both physics and psychology.

Physics:

The concepts of mechanical energy and inertia are the physics behind a roller coaster's exhilaration.

Mechanical energy includes the concepts of potential energy and kinetic energy. Potential energy is the energy stored inside an object due to its position, and this energy can be used at any time. Kinetic energy is the energy that an object generates due to its mass and speed. Both of these principles can be applied to the thrill of a roller coaster. To illustrate, when a coaster car is at the highest point before a drop, the coaster car stores potential energy. During the descent, the potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy.

The higher the roller coaster’s peak, the greater the potential energy the coaster car possesses; as potential energy amplifies, so too does the kinetic energy it turns into. The process of potential energy turning into kinetic energy causes the speed and acceleration of the coaster car. The thrill of a roller coaster lies in its speed, with the transformation of potential to kinetic energy fueling its exhilarating rush.

Moreover, inertia, also known as Newton’s first law of motion, says that something will keep moving unless affected by an external force.

Inertia fuels the thrill of a roller coaster ride. When a coaster car has a sudden change in motion, a rider’s body instinctively resists and move in the opposite direction. For instance, when a coaster car descends, the rider will feel lifted and weightless as their body will naturally continue moving upwards. Similarly, when the coaster car ascends, a rider’s body will be pushed downwards, feeling the suspense of the inevitable drop. Sudden turns will also cause the rider’s body to instinctively move the opposite way. Because of the resistance of motion, riders can experience a thrilling sensation as it makes each turn or drop a more pronounced and intense experience.

PSYCHOLOGY:
From a psychological perspective, endorphin release and adrenaline rush contribute to the thrill of a roller coaster ride. Endorphin is a person’s natural pain killer and can give the person a brief sense of euphoria.

The release of endorphins helps explain why roller coasters are so thrilling, as these natural painkillers are triggered during this ride. During a roller coaster ride, intense physical sensations, such as rapid movements and drops, cause the body to release endorphins as a coping method for the intensity. Emotional factors also play a role in the release of endorphins. For instance, endorphins can be released in response to stress during the suspenseful ascend of a roller coaster ride or the anticipation while waiting in line. Endorphin release can also be triggered by excitement during the fast turns and drops of the ride. As endorphins are released during or before the ride, they provide the rider with a fleeting joy, boosting the thrill and excitement of the experience.

Additionally, adrenaline rushes are a person’s natural response to an unnatural stimulus, with effects including a rapid heartbeat and sweating. Similar to the factors that trigger endorphin releases, the causes of adrenaline rushes include intense physical stimulus and anxiety. However, while endorphins provide a sense of euphoria, adrenaline rushes build a heightened sense of alertness and energy. When the rider is more alert and has more energy, the rider will feel a stronger sense of anticipation before a steep drop. They can also have a heightened sensory perception during the adrenaline rush, meaning the entire roller coaster ride will be more stimulating. These feelings can build a thrilling mood and make the roller coaster ride more exhilarating.

INNOVATION:
By combining concepts from both psychology and physics, innovators use suspense and surprise in their creation to ensure thrill and excitement for the roller coaster experience. Innovators intentionally make the ascend of the roller coaster slow to increase the suspense. A slow ascend makes anticipation of the inevitable drop even more exciting and suspenseful.

Additionally, many roller coasters, such as Hangtime from Knotts Berry Farm and Emperor from Seaworld San Diego, have a pause before a drop. Such roller coasters often have the pause with a section of the coaster car hanging over the edge. The momentary stillness allows time for endorphin release and adrenaline rushes. It adds suspense and thrill, as riders know the drop is imminent.

Moreover, roller coaster innovators master the element of surprise to increase thrill. For instance, innovators will add unexpected turns or drops into their creation. When riders are faced with uncertainty of what will happen during the ride, it leads to a more exciting experience. Unexpected elements of the roller coaster ride keeps riders engaged. Psychologically, by adding surprise turns and drops, endorphin is maximized and the rider will experience an adrenaline rush. Physically, the speed caused by kinetic energy and resistance caused by inertia adds on to the element of surprise. Innovators purposely use these principles from physics and psychology, to ensure thrill for the rider’s experience.