The Tower of Doom
This is the Tower of Doom in Six Flags America, in Largo, Maryland, USA.
This 150 foot free fall is the ride of a lifetime, but don't be scared the ride has
fail safe magnetic brakes. This ride is the outdoor version of the Tower of
On this ride the acceleration due to gravity acting on your mass (weight) pulls
you down as if you were in a free fall. You are moving so fast the the small
amount of air friction won't really matter as you are having the time of your life.
150 feet seems like a long way to fall but at the speed you will be going it will
not be anything. Near the bottom the magnetic brakes kick in as you feel their
force the ride will come to a nice gentle stop as you are returned to earth safe and
sound.
Photos courtesy Joe Schwartz, used with permission.
