Ferris Wheel Weight Calculation

  • Thread starter Kharmon7814
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In summary: If the wheel is going at three times the speed, then the student's weight would be six times what it is now.
  • #1
Kharmon7814
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Ferris Wheel ...Trick Question?

This is one of those that might be a typo or I am really missing something. A 250lb student is riding on a steadily rotating Ferris Wheel. If the student has an apparent weight of 250lb at the top what will be the students apparent weight at the bottom? What would be the apparent weight of the student at the top if the speed of the Ferris wheel were exactly tripled?
If the weight is the same at the top as it normaly is then all the forces are equaling out so there wouldn't be a change in weight anywhere on the wheel. Right? As for tripling the speed his weight would increase by a factor of 9 so it would be 2250lbs. Am I on the right track here? Thanks for the help
 
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  • #2


Originally posted by Kharmon7814
This is one of those that might be a typo or I am really missing something. A 250lb student is riding on a steadily rotating Ferris Wheel. If the student has an apparent weight of 250lb at the top what will be the students apparent weight at the bottom?

If his apparent weight (the magnitude of the normal force) at the top is equal to his true weight mg, then the Ferris wheel isn't moving: your apparent weight at the top of a rotating Ferris wheel is always less than your true weight (or negative).

Perhaps they really intended to discuss the loop-the-loop situation where you're on the inside of a track (so the normal force is down at the top of the loop, instead of up in the Ferris wheel case).
 
  • #3
Are you sure with the question.Because student with original weight 250 lb will have weight less than 250lb at the top of the wheel provided the wheel move with constant speed.

because the new weight becomes=250-m(v^2/r)
m=mass of student
v=speed of the wheel
r=radius of the wheel

it is possible to have the same weight if only when speed is zero.but the question says"steadily rotating Ferris Wheel".So I am questioning that part.
 
  • #4
It was a typo

The weight of the student was 225 at the top. Having all the info makes the problem much easyer.
 

1. What is the Ferris Wheel Trick Question?

The Ferris Wheel Trick Question is a popular brain teaser that involves a hypothetical situation with a Ferris wheel and a person trying to guess their weight.

2. How does the Ferris Wheel Trick Question work?

The question typically goes like this: "If you are on a Ferris wheel and someone asks you to guess your weight, what would be your answer?" The trick is that the person asking the question is usually referring to the weight of the person and the Ferris wheel combined, not just the individual's weight.

3. Is there a specific answer to the Ferris Wheel Trick Question?

No, there is no one correct answer to this question. Some people may answer with their actual weight, while others may try to factor in the weight of the Ferris wheel and give a different answer.

4. What is the purpose of the Ferris Wheel Trick Question?

The purpose of this question is to challenge one's critical thinking skills and ability to interpret information. It also serves as a fun brain teaser to stimulate the mind.

5. Are there variations of the Ferris Wheel Trick Question?

Yes, there are many variations of this question that involve different scenarios and objects, such as a seesaw or an elevator. The key element remains the same - interpreting the question and finding the correct answer.

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