What Is Centripetal Acceleration?

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 2K views
I Tree
Homework Statement
Consider a rider at the following points while riding a Ferris Wheel that is rotating counter-clockwise in a circle at a constant speed:
A.The rider is at the top of the Ferris Wheel
B.The rider is at the side of the Ferris Wheel, moving down
C.The rider is at the bottom of the Ferris Wheel
D.The rider is at the side of the Ferris Wheel, moving up


a. In which of the above scenarios is your apparent weight the lowest?
Explain why this is the case (draw a free body diagram to help with your explanation, try to be accurate with the scale)

b.In which of the above scenarios is your apparent weight the highest?
Explain why this is the case (draw a free body diagram to help with your explanation, try to be accurate with the scale)
Relevant Equations
F = mv^2/R
Unsure
 
Physics news on Phys.org