Swish! You’re whooshing down a waterslide. You’re probably thinking about science, right? OK . . . maybe not.
The whole world depends on certain rules of science—even waterslides. Just take a look at the Verrückt, a new waterslide in Kansas. Verrückt means “insane” in German. Verrückt has been certified as the world's tallest water slide by Guinness World Records. At over 168 feet tall, it’s higher than the
Statue of Liberty or Niagara Falls! That’s pretty crazy!
Park co-owner Jeff Henry says Verrückt is not for the timid, “It's for the thrill seekers of the world, people into extreme adventure.”
Verrückt riders strap themselves into a raft. The raft plunges down a steep hill. It travels as fast as a speeding car. It zips through water sprays. It flies around curves. Finally, it stops in a pool at the bottom.
Riding waterslides may not seem like rule-following. Still, how slides work has a lot to do with God’s plan. God created the universe and everything in it. He planned the laws of gravity and motion.
What rules apply to the wild Verrückt ride? First, the law of gravity pulls objects like you and your 100-pound raft down toward Earth. The law of momentum (which has to do with weight and speed) makes heavier rafts go faster than lighter ones. Finally, the law of motion keeps you sliding until a pool of water stops you.
Your Verrückt journey lasts only 20 seconds. There isn’t time for brainwork. No wonder the waterslide’s motto is, “R U Insane?”
