You are sitting in a seat on a Ferris wheel that is turning at a constant angula

Question

You are sitting in a seat on a Ferris wheel that is turning at a constant angular speed. Its speed is rapid enough that you can feel the effect of rotation, especially at the topmost and bottommost points. Evaluate the following statements (T/F/N). As always, explain your reasoning. At the moment when you pass through the highest point in your (always-) circular path... (A) your weight is reduced as the centripetal force cancels out (some of) the gravitational force acting on you. (B) the normal force on you decreases as the centrifugal force adding to your normal force reaches a maximum. (C) you accelerate up out of your seat a little bit, thus feeling lighter. (D) the gravitational force acting on you is greater than the normal force (between the seat and you). (E) the centripetal force acting on you is at its smallest, thus you feel less force acting on you.

Explanation / Answer

EXPLANATION FOR A. AT THE HIGHEST POINT, GRAVITY ACTION ON THE BODY IS (g-a) hence the person feels weightlessness while coming doen. B. normal force N = mg, since there is no change in terms of mass of the body, no change of weight takes place. C. when seat moves again total gravity = (a-g), hence when decreases D. gravitational force is greater because total gravity = (a+g) E. Fc = mv^2/R, and Fg = mg hence the result

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