Let’s take a closer look at how a Ferris wheel moves using some simple rules of physics.
Centripetal Force: This is the force that keeps the Ferris wheel's passengers moving in a circle. We can find this force using the formula:
[ F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r} ]
Here, ( m ) is the mass of the passenger, ( v ) is their speed, and ( r ) is the radius of the Ferris wheel.
Force Analysis: When you're at the top of the Ferris wheel, two forces are at play: the pull of gravity (which we can call ( F_g = mg )) and the centripetal force. These two forces work together at the top. However, when you are at the bottom, gravity pushes against the centripetal force.
Acceleration: As the Ferris wheel turns, there is an acceleration that pulls you toward the center of the wheel. We can find this acceleration with the formula:
[ a_c = \frac{v^2}{r} ]
For most Ferris wheels, the speed ( v ) is usually around 2 meters per second.
Measurements: If the radius of a Ferris wheel is 20 meters, we can calculate how long it takes to make one full turn (this is called the period ( T )) using the formula:
[ T = \frac{2\pi r}{v} ]
With the speed we mentioned, it would take about 62.8 seconds for the Ferris wheel to complete one full rotation.
And that’s how we can understand the motion of a Ferris wheel using some basic ideas!
Let’s take a closer look at how a Ferris wheel moves using some simple rules of physics.
Centripetal Force: This is the force that keeps the Ferris wheel's passengers moving in a circle. We can find this force using the formula:
[ F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r} ]
Here, ( m ) is the mass of the passenger, ( v ) is their speed, and ( r ) is the radius of the Ferris wheel.
Force Analysis: When you're at the top of the Ferris wheel, two forces are at play: the pull of gravity (which we can call ( F_g = mg )) and the centripetal force. These two forces work together at the top. However, when you are at the bottom, gravity pushes against the centripetal force.
Acceleration: As the Ferris wheel turns, there is an acceleration that pulls you toward the center of the wheel. We can find this acceleration with the formula:
[ a_c = \frac{v^2}{r} ]
For most Ferris wheels, the speed ( v ) is usually around 2 meters per second.
Measurements: If the radius of a Ferris wheel is 20 meters, we can calculate how long it takes to make one full turn (this is called the period ( T )) using the formula:
[ T = \frac{2\pi r}{v} ]
With the speed we mentioned, it would take about 62.8 seconds for the Ferris wheel to complete one full rotation.
And that’s how we can understand the motion of a Ferris wheel using some basic ideas!