Helix
Helix is a roller coaster with many exciting elements. The ride starts in a high position, at the foot of the AtmosFear tower. During the first part of the ride, the train uses the initial gravitational energy as it rolls out of the station, before reaching the first launch.
The image below shows photos of the different elements of Helix arranged around a graph of how the elevation varies during a ride. (The elevation data are based on barometer data).
The second launch and the final heartline roll are discussed in a paper on Smartphones and Newton's first law in escalators and roller coasters (which includes a video abstract).
Older material
Watch the movies: The evolution of Helix, Project Helix, or the playlist Construction of Helix
Track length: 1 355 m- Top speed: 100 km/h
- Elevation difference: 41 m
- G-force: 4.3 G
- Ride time: 130 sekunder
- Capacity: Around 1350 riders/hour
- 2 LSM launches
The launch uses electromagnetism: LSM - Linear Synchronous Motors - in contrast to the hydraulic launch of the Kanonen roller coaster. This technology may inspire a new interpretation of Einstein's first paper on relativity "Zur Elektrodynamik Bewegter Körper" - "On the Electrodynamics of moving bodies". A variable magnetic field in the track pushes the magnets on the train. For the launch to work, the change in magnetic field must change faster and faster, as the train accelerates - in a "train accelerator". Also the brakes are magnetic, like the brakes in Kanonen.
Below are links to physics and technology relating to different elements of Helix.
- Survey over Helix and its elements.
- LSM-technology (see Coasters and More, incl. animation)
- Accelerometer graphs for different positions in the train.
- Read more about loop-shapes
- The Heartline roll (short video, longer version)
Material available only in Swedish
- Potential and kinetic energy in Helix
- Airtime hump - weightlessness?
- The Pretzel - two half loops, matched together in the bottom, rather than at the top as in more common loops.
- Inverted Top Hat (cf the Top Hat in Kanonen)
- Braking the train (cf Speedmonster and Kanonen)
- Student worksheet for Helix