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?
Thanks a lot
2 answers
If all the seats or cabins of a ferris wheel have the same mass, then the potential energy of the wheel does not change as it rotates. The center of mass remains in the same place.
Is there a website that will explain this information in more depth? I need this for a project for my nephew, I am trying to understand this so I can help him more. Much appreciated....