Zip Line PhysicsA Challenge Based Design Unit

Curt BlimlineWilliamsburg High School

CEEMS is funded by the National Science Foundation,

grant # 1102990.

Big Idea

Human Safety• While transporting humans and cargo

• During relaxation and enjoyment experiences

Essential Question

What factors contribute to the safety and enjoyment

of zip line rides?

The ChallengeDesign a zip ride trolley system with a braking mechanism that delivers a safe and smooth ride

on a test zip line.

Guiding Questions1. What are the components of a zip line system?

2. What are zip lines used for?

3. What design characteristics contribute to the smoothness of the ride?

4. How do you brake a zip line trolley?

Guiding Questions5. How do you determine the safety of your design?

6. What forces exist in zip lines?

7. How does friction affect the design of a zip line?

ACS A (real world Application) – Safe and healthy physical

activities C (career connections) – Careers affected include

mechanical, structural, and materials engineering S (societal impact) – Safe zip lines creates healthy

exercise alternatives as well as effective cargo transportation for remotely accessible areas

Standards

ONLS Air Resistance and Drag Friction Forces in two dimensions

Adding vector forces Motion down inclines

StandardsNGSS

HS-PS2-1. Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical

relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.

HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable

problems that can be solved through engineering. HS-ETS1-3. Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem

based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Academic Content Lesson 1 – Zip Line Basics – the fundamental physics

concepts in zip lines Activity 1 – Zip and Deliver – an introduction to

engineering design through an activity on zip line design

Activity 2 – Zoom Zoom – investigating the forces experienced on zip lines

Academic Content Lesson 2 – Zip Line Design Project –zip line trolley

system design Activity 3 – Zip Stop – designing a rating system

for zip line braking mechanisms Activity 4 – Zip Ride – designing a safe zip line

trolley system with a braking mechanism

Zip Line Design Project

Engineering Design

Vector Resolution in Physics

Addition of Vectors (1+2+3)

Vector magnitude anglex-

componenty-

componentVector 1 20.0000 30.0000 17.3205 10.0000Vector 2 30.0000 60.0000 15.0000 25.9808

Vector 3 40.0000120.000

0 -20.0000 34.6410Resultant 71.6884 80.1039 12.3205 70.6218

MatLab CodeAutomates this process

Graphs the individual vectors

Graphs the individual vectors as if they were graphed individually (head to tail method) as well as the resultant vector

MatLab Graphs

MatLab Command Window Results

Resources

1. http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/zip-line1.htm

2. http://www.ziplinerider.com

3. http://www.acctinfo.org/