roller coaster terms

Question 1

wooden roller coaster

Answer 1

A roller coaster primarily constructed from wood, provides a traditional ride experience
with more vibration and a less smooth ride compared to steel coasters. Commonly
features “out-and-back” or “twister” layouts.

Question 2

Steel roller coaster

Answer 2

A coaster built using tubular steel tracks, offering smoother rides and allowing for more
complex inversions and faster speeds than wooden coasters.

Question 3

Inverted roller coaster

Answer 3

A coaster where the train runs underneath the track, and riders’ feet dangle freely.
Popular for loops and corkscrews.

Question 4

suspended roller coaster

Answer 4

Similar to an inverted coaster, the cars can swing from side to side as the train navigates
curves and turns.

Question 5

Launch roller coaster

Answer 5

A coaster uses a launch system, such as hydraulic, magnetic, or pneumatic propulsion,
to accelerate the train to high speeds without the need for a traditional lift hill.

Question 6

Dive roller coaster

Answer 6

A coaster that features near-vertical or vertical drops, often with holding brakes that
pause the train at the edge before the drop.

Question 7

hyper coaster

Answer 7

A steel coaster over 200 feet in height, designed primarily for airtime and speed rather
than inversions.

Question 8

giga coaster

Answer 8

A steel coaster over 300 feet in height, focusing on high speeds, long drops, and smooth
transitions.

Question 9

strata coaster

Answer 9

A roller coaster over 400 feet tall, emphasizing extreme heights and speeds.

Question 10

Spinning coaster

Answer 10

A coaster where the cars rotate freely or in a controlled manner along the track, offering
a unique experience with varying ride dynamics.

Question 11

bobsled coaster

Answer 11

A coaster with a trough-like track where the train does not connect directly to the track
but instead “slides” down the trough.

Question 12

wild mouse coaster

Answer 12

A coaster characterized by tight, sharp turns and small, individual cars, often creating a
jerky ride experience.

Question 13

Track

Answer 13

The path or rail system that the roller coaster train follows, is typically made of wood or
steel.

Question 14

supports

Answer 14

The structural framework that holds the track in place, is designed to withstand forces
exerted by the train and wind.

Question 15

Lift hill

Answer 15

The incline pulls the train up to the highest point using a chain lift, cable lift, or other
mechanisms.

Question 16

drop

Answer 16

A steep section of track where gravity propels the train downward is often the most
thrilling part of the ride.

Question 17

inversion

Answer 17

A part of the track where the train turns riders upside down, such as in loops,
corkscrews, and rolls.

Question 18

banked turn

Answer 18

A turn in which the track is tilted to counteract lateral forces, providing a smoother ride
experience.

Question 19

airtime hill

Answer 19

A hill that creates a sensation of weightlessness as the train travels over it at high speed.

Question 20

helix

Answer 20

A spiral-shaped track element, often used for sustained lateral G-forces.

Question 21

brake run

Answer 21

A section of the track equipped with brakes to slow down or stop the train.

Question 22

Launch system

Answer 22

The mechanism used to propel a train forward without the use of a lift hill. Types include
hydraulic, pneumatic, or magnetic systems.

Question 23

chain lift

Answer 23

A chain mechanism is used to pull the train up a lift hill.

Question 24

camelback

Answer 24

A series of small, consecutive airtime hills.

Question 25

lateral g-force

Answer 25

The sideways force experienced by riders is typically minimized with banking.

Question 26

vertical g-force

Answer 26

The force exerted on riders in an upward or downward direction, is felt during hills, loops, or drops.

Question 27

corkscrew

Answer 27

An inversion where the track twists in a corkscrew motion.

Question 28

loop

Answer 28

A circular inversion where the train travels upside down for part of the track.

Question 29

rollback

Answer 29

A safety mechanism on launch coasters where the train safely rolls back to the launch point if it does not gain enough speed.

Question 30

station

Answer 30

The area where riders board and exit the train.

Question 31

block section

Answer 31

A segment of track separated by brakes or sensors to ensure trains do not collide.

Question 32

zero-g roll

Answer 32

An inversion that creates a feeling of weightlessness as the train performs a barrel roll.

Question 33

track guage

Answer 33

The distance between the rails influences the type and size of the train.

Question 34

spine

Answer 34

The central structural beam provides the main support for the roller coaster track.

Question 35

transfer track

Answer 35

A movable section of track is used to switch trains from the main circuit to storage or maintenance areas.

Question 36

pre-drop

Answer 36

A small dip before the main drop to reduce stress on the lift hill mechanism.