Ferris Wheeel

Another week gone, senior year is going by way too fast, yet too slow. I want to graduate already!! College apps are a pain in my butt, and also AP Physics.. Anyways, who's been to Disneyland?! I hope everyone; its the happiest place on Earth! :) If you haven't, you've probably at least been on a ferris wheel right? Have you ever wondered what keeps you going in circles? Well, it's because of the centripetal force going radially inward. The cart you're in while on the ferris wheel is being pulled radially inwards from the tension of the spokes (connected to the center.) However, there are different forces acting upon you, as a rider. As you board the ferris wheel (at the bottom), the normal force is greater than your weight ("heavy" feeling). Therefore the net centripetal force is the normal force minus weight, equalling the mass x velocity squared divided by the radius of the ferris wheel. And at the top of the ferris wheel, your weight will feel greater than the normal force("light" feeling). So then, the centripetal net force would be weight minus the normal force, equally the same expression as before. This "light" and "heavy" feeling is the same kind of feeling you get when you're in an elevator.