physics question

Question

A physics student ridges Seattle's Big Wheel Ferris Wheel in a vertical circle with a radius of 22 m. The wheel malfunctions and starts going at a very fast, but constant speed. If the physics student feels weightless when at the top of the wheel:

a) Calculate the speed of the wheel.

b) Calculate the time per revolution (period) of the wheel.

Answer 1

In terms of centrifugal force, the net force on you at the top is such that the normal force of the structure of the car on you should be a minimum in order to have only weight supply centripetal force (= Fnet) Therefore, the equation for v_min is derived from F_W = F_C or mg = mv_min²/R

Once you have v, you can find T by taking 2πR/v = T

Good luck!