How Does Angular Speed Affect Scale Readings on a Ferris Wheel?

[will21]

Homework Statement

A woman of mass m rides in a Ferris wheel of radius R. In order to better understand physics, she takes along a bathroom scale and sits on it. Determine the difference in scale readings between the bottom and top of the Ferris wheel (“delta” F of scale) as a function of the constant angular speed of the ferris wheel (w),m,R,and g.

If w=0 rad/s, what should “delta” F of scale equal? Does your dunctoin agree with this observation?
If w was twice as large, what would happen to “delta” F of scale?

Homework Equations

mv^2/R
mg

The Attempt at a Solution

Top (n1): mg - mv^2/R
Bottom (n2): mv^2/R + mg
m = (n2 + n1)/2g

Not very sure...

 

[PhanthomJay]

Homework Statement

A woman of mass m rides in a Ferris wheel of radius R. In order to better understand physics, she takes along a bathroom scale and sits on it. Determine the difference in scale readings between the bottom and top of the Ferris wheel (“delta” F of scale) as a function of the constant angular speed of the ferris wheel (w),m,R,and g.

If w=0 rad/s, what should “delta” F of scale equal? Does your dunctoin agree with this observation?
If w was twice as large, what would happen to “delta” F of scale?

Homework Equations

mv^2/R
mg

The Attempt at a Solution

Top (n1): mg - mv^2/R
Bottom (n2): mv^2/R + mg
m = (n2 + n1)/2g

Not very sure...

Your equations are correct, but solving for m does not give you the desired solution. The difference in the scale readings is (n2) - (n1), where (n2) and (n1) represent the scale readings at the bottom and top of the ferris wheel, respectively..

 

[Loremaster]

Yes, recall that what you are looking for is the change, and thus the difference, between the two quantities.