How Does a Water Slide Work?
Water Slide Basics On most water slides, you have to climb a series of steps to get to the top. Because you are high up, gravity will accelerate you to the bottom. On a normal slide, you can only slide so fast. Your clothing, your shoes, and your body rub against the slide, creating a lot of friction. This friction slows you down. On a water slide, however, the water reduces the friction and increases your speed. You float in the water instead of rubbing against the sides of the slide. The force of the water running down the slide also helps to pull you along at higher speeds. How it Works Water slides are usually built of fiberglass sections that join together every few feet. The entire structure is supported by an enormous steel frame. At the bottom, there is usually a big pool which the slider lands in. The pool also serves as a reservoir for the pump. Using a propeller, the pump pulls water into a tube and drives it all the way up the slide. When the water reaches the top, it is po
