Question

A 30 kg child is the only rider of a Ferris wheel with 12 cars and a radius of 10 meters. Each of the carriages of the ride has a mass of 80 kg.

a. What torque does the child exert on the wheel at the 9 o’clock position?

b. the 10 o’clock position?

c. the 11 o’clock position?

d. the 12 o’clock position?

Answer 1

a)

$$\tau=(30)(9.8)(10)\sin{90}=2940\ Nm$$

b)

$$\tau=(30)(9.8)(10)\sin{60}=2546\ Nm$$

c)

$$\tau=(30)(9.8)(10)\sin{30}=1470\ Nm$$

d)

$$\tau=(30)(9.8)(10)\sin{0}=0\ Nm$$