Tangential Speed of Ferris Wheel: Answer & Equation

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SUMMARY

The tangential speed of a passenger on a Ferris wheel with a radius of 10 meters and a rotation period of 30 seconds is calculated using the formula for tangential speed, which is distance divided by time. In this case, the distance traveled in one complete rotation is the circumference of the circle, calculated as 2πr, where r is the radius. Therefore, the tangential speed is 2π(10m) / 30s, resulting in a definitive value of approximately 2.09 m/s. The discussion clarifies that only tangential speed is relevant in this scenario, as there is no radial speed involved.

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Homework Statement


I can't seem to find an equation in my book for tangential speed, but the question states. What is the tangential speed of a passenger on a Ferris wheel that has a radius of 10m and rotates once in 30 seconds? Any help would awesome.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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When using polar coordinates, there are two velocities... tangential velocity and radial velocity...

The tangential velocity is perpendicular to the radius from the origin to the point of interest...

So in this case the radius from the center of the Ferris wheel to the passenger... the tangential velocity is perpendicular to that in the direction of rotation...

So in this case the only speed is the tangential speed... there is no radial speed here... in other words the passenger goes in a circular path... the radius is fixed...

If the Ferris wheel was expanding getting a larger radius while rotating... then there'd be a radial speed to consider...

Just use distance/time to get the tangential speed...
 
awesome, i guess i was over thinking it
 

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