Have you ever noticed how on (most) hypercoasters, the best part is the first drop? Well, theres a clever design elemant that makes it so. If you look at the first drop on a coaster like, say Nitro, Appolos Chariot, or Steel force, you notice that when the drop starts, it is at a smaller angle than the rest of the drop. As the speed of the train increases down the drop, so does the angle. This provides the sudden "suction" feeling, and can pack a punch to an unsuspecting rider. Does anybody else agree that this can be considered an element, and surely a great one?!?!
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You can load up a car with Nitro, but it wont compare to Nitro (the ride) itself!
That is simple because as the angle steepens the friction reduces causing a greater force from gravity allowing the train to accelerate faster which is not a manuver becuase this has to be done otherwise you could injure someones back. Take Mellenium Force for say. The drop angle stepens slower than most coasters because its moving faster up the lift hill so they don't injure anyone's back.
I like your observation. I suppose the sensation of neg-G's can be extended with this sort of flow in the track. Sort of like when my Chevy goes over a hill. The sensation continues if the decline steadily increases. It doesn't have to be the first drop either. Ever ride the CorkScrew at CP? That second hill is a blast in the last seat.
Some coaster mfg's are trying to sell the striaght drop. There's that one that moves the train out on a track that does a 90 degree pivot to point the train straight down and release it. What about the SRS? That looks like a quick change from up-over to straight down.
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If I'da thought about it a little longer, I'da spent more time thinking.
I thought the steep drop was an element. Also I believe that this is found on all steep drops, but on most hypercoasters, the first drop is longer, allowing the body to get used to the drop stance. I think this is why the rest of the any hypercoasters' drops don't seem as scary or strong as the first one(with the exception of Phantom's Revenge).
