Why do I go so fast on water slides?

The Forces of Nature While each type of slide works a little differently, all water slides are fundamentally a product of three forces: gravity, friction, and inertia. Gravity forces passengers down the ride, while water acts as a lubricant to reduce friction, so the ride is fast and smooth.



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Water reduces friction on the water slides. Hence, we move faster on water slides as there is less friction.

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The Design of the Slides Water also plays a part in the design of the rides. Deeper water propels heavier riders along to keep them moving smoothly. Lighter riders get swept up in the water and go about the same speed as the water until they reach the bottom.

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Gravity pulls the rider toward the Earth, helping to speed up their trip down the waterslide. Of course, friction also plays a part. Whether a person rides down the slide on their backs, a mat, or an intertube, the contact causes friction. This can slow the rider down.

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Consider this: On the average waterslide, riders splash along at 20 to 30 miles per hour. But the average airplane flies 600 miles per hour. That's 20 times faster than a person travels on a waterslide.

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Generally the weight limit is posted at the bottom of the stairs. Most have a weight limit of 300 pounds per rider/tube.

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Heavier people will have more friction force and may slide slower. If the slide is long enough, a heavier person's higher momentum may allow a higher average velocity. I remember when I was a little kid, I was so light that I couldn't even slide on some slides that the bigger kids had no problem with.

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Slide must be ridden feet first lying on your back or in a sitting position (sit up to go slower, lie down to go faster).

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With arms flailing around they tend to catch or snag on things and injure the hands and arms terribly. Better to get to the bottom of the slide and be able to help others than get there with a broken arm. Crossing your arms reduces the chance of friction against the sides of the slides.

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But traveling down a water slide allows you to feel like you are flying down at a much higher pace. Physicists say that this is because water on a slide helps create a frictionless surface – the less friction is involved, the faster you can go, and the smoother your ride feels.

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Water Slides Go Way Back The first patented water slide in the U.S. was the Water-Toboggan Slide, by Herbert Sellner in 1923 in Faribault, MN. It consisted of a wooden slide which started with a down-ramp and then went out over a lake.

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As you slide into the turn, it's the design of the slide that keeps you safe. The walls are built up to keep you from propelling over the side. Water also plays a part in the design of the rides. Deeper water propels heavier riders along to keep them moving smoothly.

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