The wind rushing through your hair, the anticipation of each twist and turn, the thrill of freely accelerating through the air, and the sudden sensation of your heart dropping. Action-packed rides often found in amusement parks such as roller coasters, drop towers, or pirate ship rides may evoke these types of emotions from us. Other extreme activities like skydiving and parachuting elicit similar feelings as well. Though these activities initially invoke fear, they keep us coming back for more. The secret behind them? They all involve free fall.
An object is said to be in free fall when it falls under the influence of gravity, ideally without any air resistance. Most roller coasters are propelled around their tracks by gravitational energy. The carriage builds potential energy as it climbs, and spends kinetic energy when it plunges. Depending on the amount of gravitational force, the riders would accelerate and decelerate. During a roller coaster ride, for instance, the climb creates anticipation and excitement because we all know what will happen next. All of a sudden it plunges, and you feel the “heart drop” sensation, where it feels as though your heart has sunk downwards while it starts racing faster.
The force of gravity is also responsible for keeping the rollercoaster on track, ensuring that the riders are seated safely as well. As it plunges yet again, negative G forces, the downward acceleration greater than free fall, creates the sensation of weightlessness on a roller coaster ride, due to the acceleration and gravity canceling out. To prevent discomfort and injuries, designers use techniques such as gradual changes in speed and direction, banking turns, and lap bars or shoulder restraints. These aspects are carefully considered when designing roller coasters with inversions or extreme maneuvers.
The sense of danger that comes with free falling may also play a role in the overall thrill of the experience. Our brains may release hormones such as dopamine and adrenaline in a physiological reaction called the "fight or flight" response when we feel a sense of danger. This reaction releases adrenaline and other stress hormones, causing us to feel the excitement during a perceived danger. While some people may perceive these emotions as negative or feel dread, others may find them exhilarating. The theory of "benign masochism" suggests that humans enjoy what is initially thought to be dangerous or negative when the brain realizes that there is no actual danger. Moreover, when adrenaline is naturally triggered with dopamine, we may feel a natural high. This, combined with the sense of accomplishment of experiencing something seemingly dangerous, can lead us to return for more.
Overall, free fall plays a significant role in the overall thrill of extreme activities as it evokes different emotions and hormones including anticipation, excitement, and adrenaline. Free falling is the reason why some of us can’t get enough of these types of thrilling activities like parachuting, skydiving, and roller coasters, all of which can be enjoyed by both young and old. As the old saying goes, “You only live once.”
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