Hello, I was wondering how to explain the potential energy in a Ferris wheel, and if there were any reputable (aka not something such as Wikipedia, etc) that had an explanation for this? The only thing I have gathered is that mgh=Eg and that Eg is the energy stored in the wheel. The energy is stored as the result of the gravitational attraction of the Earth for the object...I need help, and are there any equations I should know about?
already answered
Hello! It seems like you are looking for an explanation of the potential energy in a Ferris wheel and some reputable sources to refer to. I can certainly help you with that.
First, let's talk about the potential energy in a Ferris wheel. The potential energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its position relative to other objects. In the case of a Ferris wheel, the potential energy is primarily gravitational potential energy.
As you rightly mentioned, the equation for gravitational potential energy is Eg = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height or vertical distance of the object from a reference point. In the context of a Ferris wheel, h can be considered as the height of a passenger from the ground.
When a Ferris wheel rotates, the passengers experience changes in their height from the ground throughout the ride. As they move upwards, their height increases and hence the potential energy also increases. Similarly, as they move downwards, their height decreases, and the potential energy decreases.
Now, in terms of reputable sources, there are several options you can explore:
1. Textbooks: Physics textbooks like "University Physics" by Young and Freeman or "Conceptual Physics" by Paul G. Hewitt often provide comprehensive explanations of potential energy and its application to various scenarios, including Ferris wheels.
2. Educational Websites: Websites from reputable educational institutions like Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org) or Physics Classroom (www.physicsclassroom.com) can provide detailed explanations of potential energy and its application to Ferris wheels.
3. Scientific Journals: If you are looking for more in-depth and scholarly sources, scientific journals like "American Journal of Physics" or "Physics Education" often publish research articles related to potential energy and its practical applications.
Remember, it's always a good idea to cross-reference information from multiple sources to get a well-rounded understanding.
I hope this helps you in understanding and explaining the potential energy in a Ferris wheel. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!