The Physics Behind Waterslides

theodp writes "National Geographic takes a high-level look at the physics behind waterslides. A lot of science goes into providing a safe 60 mph trip down slides like Walt Disney World's 10-story Summit Plummet. 'Safety is our number one concern,' explains Rick Hunter of ProSlide Technology. 'We're thinking about things like, "are you going to stay on the fiberglass tube," it's really easy to do a computer model and look at curves and drops and forecast rider position and speed.'"

Just curious

[Anonymous Coward]

How many slashdotters have been to a water park recently, and by water park you can include a shower.

Shouldn't that be "The Engineering Behind..."?

[xxxJonBoyxxx]

> the physics behind waterslides

Shouldn't that be "The Engineering Behind..."?

> National Geographic

Well...at least the article will feature some topless photos.

Well, they certainly have a lot of experts

[emag]

So we turned to some experts: the people who design water parks rides, a physicist with three small children, and two 14-year-old twins who are self-described "water park enthusiasts."

So, a couple teens, a dad whose specialty is particle physics, and the actual people who design the slides. Glad someone has some actual experience...

Re:Just curious

[TWiTfan]

Does googling the term "water sports" count?

Re:Just curious

[SJHillman]

I'd be more interested in knowing how many of them engineer their slides to improve the odds of a bikini coming off mid-slide. And where I can find the works of said engineers. To observe. For science.

Re:Correction

[bobbied]

Watersides are just slippery slopes.... Which is a logical argument...

Re:Just curious

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd be more interested in knowing how many of them engineer their slides to improve the odds of a bikini coming off mid-slide. And where I can find the works of said engineers. To observe. For science.

Sexual orientation be damned, the inadvertent removal of clothing, or at minimum, the always-entertaining "wedgie", should be the secondary goal, right behind ensuring the rider lives long enough to survive the YouTube onslaught. For social science of course.