Question

Fairgoers ride a Ferris wheel with a radius of 5.00 mm (Figure 1). The wheel completes one revolution every 33.0 s. What is the average speed of a rider on this Ferris wheel?

Answer 1

The average speed of a rider on the Ferris wheel is approximately 0.095 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

The average speed of a rider on the Ferris wheel can be determined by dividing the total distance traveled by the time taken. In one revolution, the rider travels the circumference of the wheel, which is equal to 2π times the radius. So, the total distance traveled in one revolution is 2π(5.00 mm).

To convert the radius to meters, we divide by 1000, because there are 1000 mm in 1 m. So, the radius becomes 0.005 m. Plugging this value into the formula, the distance traveled in one revolution is 2π(0.005 m).

The time taken for one revolution is given to be 33.0 s. So, the average speed can be calculated by dividing the distance by the time, or (2π(0.005 m))/33.0 s.

Simplifying this expression gives the average speed of a rider on the Ferris wheel to be approximately 0.095 m/s.