Is the Bottom Velocity of a Ferris Wheel Really Twice That of the Top?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the claim that the velocity of a point on the bottom of a Ferris wheel is twice that of a point at the top. A participant questions the mathematical basis for this assertion, suggesting that if the top has velocity v, the bottom has velocity -v, leading to a difference of 2v, but not a doubling of speed. This indicates a misunderstanding of the term "twice," as both points actually have the same speed in opposite directions. The conversation highlights the need for clarity in explaining concepts of velocity in non-uniform circular motion. Overall, the claim that the bottom's velocity is twice that of the top is deemed incorrect.
silvanet
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I see in the description of non-uniform circular motion in a textbook, referring to a ferris wheel, that the velocity of an object at the bottom must be twice the velocity at the top, but it is not mathematically shown and it is not immediately obvious to me. Can someone show a simple mathematical demonstration of that?
 
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Are you sure that is what is said? If the point on top has velocity v, the point on the bottom must have the same speed but opposite direction so velocity -v. The difference in velocities is v- (-v)= 2v but it is NOT true that one is "twice" the other.
 

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