In Depth Guide to Waterslides

Gary Mcgrummer 2025-10-28

Introduction

A waterslide is a recreational slide that uses a continuous stream of water to reduce friction, allowing people to slide down a long, sloping flume into a pool of water. Found in water parks and pools, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple body slides to elaborate rides with twists, turns, and other features.

How a Waterslide Works

The experience of riding a waterslide is driven by basic physics, primarily the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy.

• Potential energy: As a rider climbs the stairs to the top of the slide, they build up potential energy.
• Kinetic energy: When the ride begins, gravity pulls the rider down the slide. This converts potential energy into kinetic energy (the energy of motion), causing the rider to accelerate.
• Reduced friction: A pump system circulates a constant flow of water from the pool to the top of the slide. This water acts as a lubricant, significantly reducing the friction between the rider and the slide's surface. With less friction, the rider moves faster down the chute.
• Inertia: On slides with curves, a rider's inertia tries to keep them moving in a straight line. The curved walls of the slide redirect this force, pushing the rider back and forth as they navigate the turns.

Thrill Level

The thrill level of waterslides are usually subjective, but there is a quantitative way to calculate the water slide thrill level. This is measured in radian metres.

\[ thrill \ level=\Delta height*\theta \]

• While many believe that a thrilling water slide would be approximately 45 radian metres, this value can actually vary by 10%!
• Therefore, this could be potentially used to design a thrilling waterslide that appeals to many people!