Physics of Amusement Park Rides

1. The Carousel
2. Ferris Wheel
3. Loop-the-Loop
4. The Rotor
 The Carousel: An Example of Uniform Circular Motion

Turning about axis O

w/ Constant Angular Speed

Axis O
 Draw the Forces on the Rider
What is the nature of the net force on
the rider ? Where is this pointing ?
Central force pointing to O O

What provides the net force on him ?

The normal support force
of the back of the seat

What kind of net force along the y-axis ? y

Is there motion along y ? N = mg
y: stationary uniform motion N = mv2/R
x
What is the sensation he feels ?
Pressed against the chair
mg
(or alternatively, chair pressing against his back)
How can this be enhanced ?
Increase
The Ferris Wheel

Weightless Feeling
at the top

Heavy feeling at
the bottom
 Draw the Forces on the Rider
2 N constant
What is the nature of the net force on
the rider ? Where is this pointing ?
a central force
mg
At 2: mg - N = mv2/R 1
or N = mg - mv /R 2

feels lighter
At 1: N - mg = mv2/R 3
N
or N = mg + mv2/R
feels heavier
What is the sensation he feels 4
At locations 2 and 4 ?
mg
What happens if the rotational speed is increased beyond (gR)1/2?
He flies off upon reaching position 2
 The Roller Coaster

SLOW

FAST

Weightless Sensation

Heavy Sensation
 How is Energy conserved in the roller coaster ride ?
Potential Energy = mgh
Kinetic Energy= 0

A.

C
Vo = 0

h R

B. KE = (1/2) mv2
PE = 0
To clear the top of the loop, h 2R.
In fact, ignoring friction, minimum h = 2.5 R
 Draw the Forces on the Rider constant
What is the nature of the net force on 2
the rider ? Where is this pointing ?
A central force towards O v

At 2: N + mg = mv2/R Radius R
N mg
or N = mv2/R - mg 1
O
At 1: N - mg = mv2/R N
or N = mg + mv2/R 3

What is the sensation he feels

at locations 2 and 4 ? 4
Heavier at 4, lighter at 2 mg

What happens if the speed v is decreased below (gR)1/2?

Rider falls out of car at 2, if not wearing harness.
 The Rotor
Radius R

1. A large cylinder spins.

2. You are thrown and pinned against the wall.
3. The floor then slides out.
4. Yet you do not fall.
Draw the forces on the rider Friction
pinned to the rotors wall: f = N

N= Fc = mv2/R rotor wall

Floor pulled out

mg
The central force Fc is provided by the normal or
support force N from the rotors walls.

For a minimum rotor speed, the normal force is large enough

that the friction f is enough to overcome the weight mg, keeping
the man pinned to the wall.

The critical minimum speed is solved from mg = N = mv2/R

or v = (gR/)1/2