Question

A Group of students is tracking a friend, John, who is riding a Ferris

wheel. They know that John reaches the Maximum height of 11 m at
10 seconds and then reaches the minimum height of 1 m at 55 seconds.
What is the amplitude of the function and what does it represent in this situation?

Answer 1

Part A

5 m

Part B

The maximum displacement of the Ferris wheel from the midline

Explanation:

Part A

The amplitude is the largest displacement of a body, moving in an oscillatory, or vibrational motion from its position of equilibrium or central position about which the body vibrates

In the Ferris wheel, the central position is the midline, between the maximum height and the minimum height

Therefore, the amplitude is the maximum displacement from the midline = The maximum height - ((The maximum height - The minimum height)/2 + The minimum height)

∴ The amplitude = 11 m - ((11 m - 1 m)/2) + 1 m) = 5 m

Part B

The amplitude represents the maximum and minimum distances the Ferris wheel moves above the midline.