I was researching amusement park rides for a recent project (from this site I have noticed that many others are in the same boat as me). Anywho, I am doing the Ferris wheel or the Giant Wheel, and I was wondering if this was right, with respect to potential energy: this is due to the wheels vertical position; this type of energy does not change on the Ferris wheel as it revolves, if gondolas on the are the same mass, because the center of mass does not change . The center of mass is single point at which the entire mass of a body is considered to be concentrated. The ferris wheel's center mass is its center. This point acts a balance point for the wheel so, the potential energy remains the same at all points on the Ferris wheel. The potential energy is calculated by PE=mgh or mgd
I am pretty sure that this right, but if you could please verify, that would be wonderful! Danke!
Nessa
Yes it is right. Potential energy has very little to do with hiow ferris wheels work. It is mainly a case of electrical energy makng the motor do work overcoming bearing friction. Kinetic energy is not a factor either, except when it is starting up.
Danke, Nessa! Your understanding is partially correct. The potential energy of an object depends on its height above a reference point. In the case of a Ferris wheel or Giant Wheel, the potential energy is indeed due to the wheel's vertical position.
However, the potential energy of an object does change as it moves on the Ferris wheel. As the gondolas move up and down, their height above the ground changes, hence altering their potential energy. When a gondola is at the highest point on the wheel, its potential energy is at its maximum because its height is the greatest. Conversely, when a gondola is at the bottom, its potential energy is the lowest as its height is the minimum.
The center of mass refers to the balance point of an object where the mass is evenly distributed. Although the center of mass remains fixed in an object, it does not affect the potential energy directly. The potential energy still depends on the height or distance from the reference point.
To calculate the potential energy of a gondola on a Ferris wheel, you can use the formula PE = mgh, where m is the mass of the gondola, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the vertical height above the reference point.
In summary, the potential energy of a gondola on a Ferris wheel changes as it moves up and down due to the variation in its height above the reference point.