Roller coasters reveal physics from gravity to inertia
The Mini Page explains how roller coasters convert potential energy to kinetic energy, with gravity and momentum driving the cars and friction slowing them. It notes top rides: Kingda Ka 456 feet tall in New Jersey, Formula Rossa 149 mph in Abu Dhabi, Lightning Rod 73 mph in Dollywood, and Steel Dragon at Nagashima 8100+ feet long for about four minutes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jackson
New Jersey
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Ferrari World
Dollywood
Tennessee
Nagashima Spa Land
Nagashima
Japan
Early roller coasters evolve from Russian Mountains to modern steel designs
The passage traces early coaster origins in Russia with riders sliding down ice and climbing towers, notes LaMarcus Thompson as father of the modern coaster with the 1884 Switchback Railway at Coney Island, and explains the shift to steel with Disney’s 1959 Matterhorn Bobsled coaster enabling loops and corkscrews.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
LaMarcus Thompson
Coney Island
Brooklyn
New York
Disney
How It Works Roller Coasters at the Library
A library display features “How It Works: Roller Coasters” by Precious McKenzie. The exhibit invites readers to explore coaster design and physics using accessible explanations and engaging visuals.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Precious McKenzie
Dolphins Use Signature Whistles Like Names
Researchers at the University of Western Australia show male bottlenose dolphins call each other by name through signature whistles. Stephanie King notes naming aids managing a complex social network. The Mini Page thanks Tim Baldwin for assistance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
University of Western Australia
Stephanie King
Also Mentioned on This Page
California
Wooden
Kam
My.lee
Randy
Cara
Eco Note
Tim Baldwin
Facebook
MiniPageBooks
Andrews McMeel Universal
Walnut
Kansas City
EAD
KNI
SFO
Hea Tran
sveMsuy
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!