The forces acting on a Ferris wheel system are gravity and centripetal force. Gravity affects the weight of the occupants, while the centripetal force affects the angular velocity and angular momentum of the system.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Ferris wheel begins to turn, two main forces are acting on the system: the force of gravity and the centripetal force. The force of gravity pulls the occupants downwards towards the center of the wheel, while the centripetal force acts towards the center of the circular motion.
The force of gravity does not directly affect the angular velocity or angular momentum of the system, as it only acts in the vertical direction. However, it does affect the apparent weight of the occupants, making them feel heavier as they reach the highest point of the wheel and lighter as they reach the lowest point.
The centripetal force affects the angular velocity and angular momentum of the system. As the wheel rotates faster, the centripetal force increases, resulting in a larger angular velocity. The angular momentum remains constant as long as no external torques act on the system.