Question

A Ferris wheel has diameter of 10 m. It rotates at a uniform rate and makes one revolution in 8.0 seconds. A person weighing 670 N is sitting on one of the benches attached at the rim of the wheel. What is the apparent weight (that is, the normal force exerted on her by the bench) of the person as she passes through the highest pointof her motion?

Answer 1

Answer:  459.14 N

Explanation:

from the question, we have

diameter = 10 m

radius (r)  = 5 m

weight (Fw) = 670 N

time (t) = 8 seconds

Circular motion has centripetal force and acceleration pointing perpendicular and inwards of the path, therefore we apply the equation below

∑ F = F c =  F w − Fn ..............equation 1

Fn = Fw − Fc = mg − (mv^2 / r) ...................equation 2

substituting the value of v as (2πr / T) we now have

Fn = mg − (m(2πr / T )^2) / r

Fn= mg − (4(π^2)mr / T^2)   ..........equation 3

Fw (mass of the person) = mg

therefore m = Fw / g

                m = 670 / 9.8 = 68.367 kg

now substituting  our values into equation 3

Fn = 670 - ( (4 x (π^2) x 68.367 x 5 ) / 8^2)

Fn = 670 - 210.86

Fn = 459.14 N