• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Rookie Parenting

  • Preschool
  • Elementary
    • Kindergarten
    • 1st Grade
    • 2nd Grade
    • 3rd Grade
    • 4th Grade
    • 5th Grade
  • Middle School
    • 6th Grade
    • 7th Grade
    • 8th Grade
  • High School
    • 9th Grade
    • 10th Grade
    • 11th Grade
    • 12th Grade
    • STEM
  • About

Build Marble Roller Coaster | STEM

By Rookie Parenting Science Updated 05/16/2020

Roller coaster in theme park

If you (or your parents) have a roll of unused baby edge guard lying around, this is the perfect STEM activity for you.

How High To Loop The Roller Coaster Loop | STEM Experiment

Build Marble Roller Coaster

Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour

Materials

  • a marble or bouncy ball

Tools

  • edge guard (you can also use a pool noodle cut in half)
  • packing tape

Instructions

  1. Use the edge guard to make a loop, but don’t use up the entire length. Leave a section to be used as the run.
  2. Secure the loop using packing tape.
  3. To make a stable loop, you may need to tape it to a wall (we used a chair leg)

    Loop made from baby guard is taped to a chair leg, ball rolling on the guard
  4. Place the run section by the table edge to make a raised run.
  5. Drop the marble from the top of the raised section and see if it can travel the entire loop without falling out from the track.
  6. If it cannot, raise the run section higher.

    3 consecutive pictures of how a ball rolls down a loop built using edge guard | STEM Experiment

Notes

Explore: How High Can The Loop Be?

Experiment with different loop sizes and see how they affect the run’s height needed for the marble to do a complete loop.

This homemade roller coaster is definitely one of the most fun science projects, but it is also one of the most challenging.

It is not easy to get it right the first time. You have to experiment with different height and different loop sizes to make a good roller coaster marble run.

But when you get it right, it can be exhilarating. That is exactly the charm of science experiments!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Bounce Balls
    Bounce Balls
  • Baby Proofing Edge
    Baby Proofing Edge
© Rookie Parenting

Have you ever wondered why the string of roller coaster cars is pulled up to the crest of the tallest point on the roller coaster before rolling downhill to the loop?

Have you ever wondered why the cars do not fall off even when they are upside down in the loop?

In this experiment, you see that the run section needs to be placed higher than the top of the loop in order for the marble to travel the loop completely.

The roller coaster is a great demonstration of the law of conservation of energy.

In an isolated system such as the roller coaster, the total energy remains constant.

When you raise the marble, you are working against the force of gravity, giving the marble potential energy.

When the marble starts rolling down, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. 

The marble picks up speed as it goes downhill.

As it goes up the loop, it loses momentum and slows down.

Some of the kinetic energy is now being converted into potential energy, which will be converted back into kinetic energy when the marble goes down the other side of the loop.

If the initial height of the marble is not high enough, the marble stops before reaching the top of the loop and falls off the track.

That is why the initial height needs to be higher than the loop for the marble to continue to roll in the loop.

To Learn More About Gravity

Here are some great books and activities on gravity for children.

  • Scientriffic: Roller Coaster Science
    Scientriffic: Roller Coaster Science

This science kit comes with a 32-page book and a cardboard roller coaster you can build.

The book explains various physics concepts such as gravity, mass and weight. It also includes over 20 science experiments.

Putting together the roller coaster is a fun project for older kids. Younger kids will need some help as there are many pieces in the model.

Once it’s finished, you can have lots of fun exploring and experimenting. Both older and younger kids will have a blast.

  • Gravity Is a Mystery
    Gravity Is a Mystery
  • Why Can't I Jump Very High?
    Why Can’t I Jump Very High?
  • The Everything Kids' Nature Book
    The Everything Kids’ Nature Book

More Roller Coaster Toys

  • Marble Genius Marble Run Super Set
    Marble Genius Marble Run Super Set
  • K’NEX Thrill Rides – Double Doom Roller Coaster Building Set
    K’NEX Thrill Rides – Double Doom Roller Coaster Building Set
  • K'NEX Thrill Rides – Electric Inferno Roller Coaster Building Set
    K’NEX Thrill Rides – Electric Inferno Roller Coaster Building Set
3 images of ball traveling on a roller coaster at different positions. Build Roller Coaster | STEM Experiment | What Height To Loop A Complete Loop?

Primary Sidebar

Get the Science Pack!
20 Most Popular At-Home Science Experiments
20 Most Popular At-Home Science Experiments

Footer

Disclaimer and Safety Precautions

Rookieparenting.com provides science activity ideas for informational purposes only. Rookieparenting.com does not make any guarantee or representation regarding such ideas and is not responsible or liable for any loss or damage, directly or indirectly, caused by your use of such information.

By accessing the science activity ideas on Rookieparenting.com, you waive and renounce any claims against Rookieparenting.com that arise thereof. In addition, your access to Rookieparenting.com’s website is covered by Rookieparenting.com’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Warning is hereby given that not all activities are appropriate for all individuals or in all situations. Implementation should be undertaken only in appropriate settings and with appropriate parental or adult supervision.

Reading and following the safety precautions of all materials used in an activity is the sole responsibility of each individual. For further information, consult your state’s Science Safety Handbook.

Rookie Parenting Science is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Copyright © 2021 rookieparenting.com. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms Of Service