Final answer:
The apparent weight of a passenger at the lowest point of a Ferris wheel is calculated by adding the centripetal force (due to acceleration) to the normal force of gravity. Using the given diameter and rotation period of the Ferris wheel, along with the passenger's mass, we can calculate the apparent weight in newtons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking about the apparent weight of a passenger at the lowest point of a Ferris wheel, so let's calculate that using principles from circular motion and Physics. First, we must find the centripetal acceleration. The centripetal acceleration, a, for an object traveling in a circle of radius r at a constant speed v is given by a = v^2 / r.
Here, we're dealing with a Ferris wheel with a diameter of 80 ft, so the radius is 40 ft (which is approximately 12.192 meters, since there are about 3.281 feet in a meter). The wheel completes one rotation in 23 seconds, so we can find the speed by noting that the circumference of the wheel is given by 2πr and dividing that by the period (time for one rotation).
The passenger's apparent weight at the lowest point will be their normal weight plus the force due to centripetal acceleration, which is m * a.
The normal weight is the force due to gravity, which is mg, where m is the mass (74 kg for our passenger) and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s^2). So the apparent weight is W = mg + ma. The calculation will yield a value in newtons (N) which is the SI unit of force.
Therefore, the apparent weight does not depend on the passenger's mood, and by doing the described calculations, we will find the correct answer among the options provided.