Final answer:
In an inertial frame of reference, the riders in the amusement park ride are pinned to the wall due to the centripetal force acting on them. The sensation of weightlessness is experienced when the force of gravity and the centripetal force are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. The real forces acting on the riders are gravity, normal force, and friction.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an inertial frame of reference, such as the Earth, the riders in the amusement park ride are pinned to the wall due to the centripetal force acting on them. This force is directed towards the center of the circle and is responsible for keeping the riders moving in a curved path. The sensation of weightlessness is experienced by the riders when the force of gravity and the centripetal force are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, resulting in a net force of zero on the riders.
The real forces acting on the riders are:
- Gravity: The force pulling the riders towards the center of the Earth.
- Normal Force: The force exerted by the wall of the barrel on the riders, perpendicular to the wall.
- Friction: The force of friction between the riders and the wall of the barrel.