Mathematics and physics for the whole body on swings, carousels and roller coasters

What is the acceleration when swinging and passing the lowest point? What is the acceleration at the turning points or at the highest point of a roller coaster loop? Questions that are difficult for students and where even ChatGPT and physics teachers sometimes answer incorrectly. The concept of acceleration is experienced as abstract and is often saved until the students can handle second derivatives - even though acceleration is felt throughout the body. During the seminar, I will talk about some small group discussions among first-year students about forces and acceleration in different situations.

Speaker: Ann-Marie Pendrill, Professor emeritus, Department of Physics, University of Gothenburg