Why is height important in roller coasters?

ELI5: Why do amusement parks/roller coasters have minimum height requirements instead of minimum age/weight requirements? It is about how the safety equipment (bars, belts and harnesses) fit. The short of it is safety / restraint equipment is designed to function based on height.



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There is a strong relationship between the height and speeds of the roller coasters, that is, in general, faster roller coasters tend to be taller.

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In roller coasters, the two forms of energy that are most important are gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.

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I the height of the second hill is higher than the first one, then it needs additional energy to climb the second hill. The coaster keeps on losing energy from air resistance and rolling friction between the rails and the coaster wheels and will eventually come to rest.

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It is a matter of size, not weight. If a person is too large to fit into the restraints, then they cannot ride. It depends on how a person is built. For example, a guy with a large chest may not be able to ride, but someone else that weighs more than him might.

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Some people have to miss the fun at amusement parks because they're too short or too tall, but can you be too old? As people age, they may feel the bumps and drops of a roller coaster more strongly or take longer to recover from dizziness after having been spun at high speeds.

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It is about how the safety equipment (bars, belts and harnesses) fit. The short of it is safety / restraint equipment is designed to function based on height. Safety belts, restraining bars etc,... Former rides operator here, the harnesses effectiveness is based off of height and not weight or age.

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People with high blood pressure and/or heart conditions are warned not to ride roller coasters because of the way they tax the cardiovascular system. The adrenaline rush that roller coasters give you causes a rapid spike in your heart rate and blood pressure.

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Normally the inner ear responds to movement automatically, so we aren't aware that it is working until the movement is too much for our vestibular system to handle. “When that happens, such as riding a roller coaster or even riding in a car or airplane, we experience motion sickness, which are symptoms you describe.

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First, there are those long walks just to get on the roller coasters, then when you go on the thrill ride they're a good workout for your hearts and lungs. Roller coasters are good for stress relief, fighting phobias, and clearing your sinuses.

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“As far as an age limit, though, if you are physically healthy and up for the thrill, there is likely no greater risk for someone who is 60 than there is for someone who is 20.” The largest concern for those who indulge in roller coasters is the after effects.

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If there's a chance you might feel sick from the roller coasters and other rides, eat a bland breakfast (or other meal) before you go. You want something in your stomach to keep it settled, so choose bland foods like plain cereal, toast and crackers or scrambled eggs with nothing else in or on them.

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Basic mathematical subjects such as calculus help determine the height needed to allow the car to get up the next hill, the maximum speed, and the angles of ascent and descent. These calculations also help make sure that the roller coaster is safe. No doubt about it--math keeps you on track.

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Basic mathematical subjects such as calculus help determine the height needed to allow the car to get up the next hill, the maximum speed, and the angles of ascent and descent. These calculations also help make sure that the roller coaster is safe. No doubt about it--math keeps you on track.

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It is impossible for the back of the train to exceed the speed of the front, because all of the cars are connected. However, the back may feel faster than the front at some points, due to the front pulling it. If the front is already going down a drop, than it is going to whip the back over the crest faster.

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