Curves, Falls and Spins

Ride a skate park's ledge, pole, loop, teeter, kickflip pad and drone on a working test bench, and find out what a fall keeps, what bends a path and what makes things turn. Six lessons for ages 12 and up, the second of two courses that lead into The Physics of the Hopping Roadster.
Library
Course cover

Falling free

Lesson 1
Off the Edge image

Off the Edge

One rolls off fast, one simply drops: same ledge, same instant, a race to the ground.
Start

Going round

Lesson 2
Let Go! image

Let Go!

The rope pulls the skater toward the pole on every lap, and the gap never shrinks.
Start
Lesson 3
Upside Down image

Upside Down

Upside down, 4 m up, on a track that can only push.
Start

Turning and tilting

Lesson 4
The Teeter image

The Teeter

A sandbag half the rider's weight, a plank on a pivot, and a balance that shouldn't be possible.
Start
Lesson 5
Still Spinning image

Still Spinning

One flick at the edge, then a full turn in mid-air with nothing touching the board.
Start
Lesson 6
Hold It Steady image

Hold It Steady

Thrust equals weight, and the drone keeps on climbing.
Start

Review and assessment

Lesson 7

Test: Curves, Falls and Spins

Review the course ideas by applying them to new situations, with kind feedback after every answer.
Locked till you take the prior lesson