Question

A student of weight 643 N rides a steadily rotating Ferris wheel (the student sits upright). At the highest point, the magnitude of the normal force F→N on the student from the seat is 566 N. (a) What is the magnitude of F→N at the lowest point? If the wheel's speed is doubled, what is the magnitude FN at the (b) highest and (c) lowest point?

Answer 1

a) 720N

Step-by-step explanation:

Centrifugal force pushing student upwards at the top Fc = (643 - 566)N = 77N

At the bottom, an equal centrifugal force Fb acts downwards on the student giving a total of :

Fc + 643 = 77 + 643 = 720N

b) The centrifugal force is quadrupled when speed is doubled ,therefore, the total force at the top = 643 - (4× 77)

= (643 - 308)N = 335N

c ) The total force at the top when the centrifugal force is quadrupled = 643 + (4×77)

= (643 + 308 )N = 951 N