Science Snippet: Fastest Roller Coaster

The world’s fastest roller coaster, the Formula Rossa, is in Abu Dhabi at the “Ferrari World” theme park. Not for the faint-hearted, the coaster goes from 0-60 mph in two seconds and hits a top speed of 149 mph within five seconds. It uses a hydraulic launcher similar to those used on aircraft carriers to launch planes off the deck. Passengers are required to wear goggles, because at 149 mph the tiniest bit of sand hits you like a bullet. (Smithsonian Magazine, 2016, Sept. issue)