Question

Have you ever visited an amusement park and taken a ride on a parachute drop ride? These types of rides take the passengers to a great height, and then drop them in free fall. Before they hit the ground, the ride is slowed using a Lenz’s law mechanism thus avoiding certain death. For this discussion, first locate a photo of one of these rides (either one you’ve personally experienced or one you might like to try someday), and in your initial post, upload the photo and respond to the following:
a. Explain how Lenz’s law applies to this situation.
b. Why is the Lenz’s law mechanism ideal for such a use?
c. What other mechanisms can be used to slow the descent? Compare and contrast these options with the Lenz’s law mechanism.

Finally, be sure to respond to at least two of your peers’ discussion posts.

Answer 1

Answer & Explanation:

a)

Lenz's law states that the direction of induced electric current is always such that, it opposes the change in magnetic flux.

In a drop ride, the hub on which we sit and are hung to is an electromagnet and there are many such magnets mounted on the columns of the support. what happens is these electromagnets (in support) generate a repulsive magnetic field with respect to the field generated by the hub solenoids. this results in lift generation till the top of ride. reaching the top, the bar solenoids are at their maximum repulsive force. Then the solenoids in column are set current less means electric supply is cut off. this makes you fall under the effect of gravity. by the time you are half way down, column  solenoids are turned on again. As the hub solenoid approaches every single electromagnet in supporting columns. Due to change in magnetic field (with respect to lenz's law) an opposing current induces further providing resistance to the fall, this continues until the ride comes to rest completely. This is how it works.  

c) In addition, highly compressive springs, dampers, viscous dampers, etc. could be used in its place.

but the above listed cannot provide a differential braking,

have a limited lifecycle,

will provide resistance during lift also,

require higher maintenance