The Physics of a Ferris Wheel

By Morgan Malone and Grace Allen

A ferris wheel involves a lot of physics concepts, including; velocity, angular velocity, centripetal force, and the usage of the math term ω. This term is also known as omega, which stands for the angular velocity. A ferris wheel depends on angular velocity, because there needs to always be a force pulling inwards, or else the wheel will not continue to spin in a circle.

v = r ω ← angular velocity

↑ ↑

↑ Radius (0.16m) Centripetal Force

Velocity

F= mrω²

ω = angular velocity

ω = 2π ÷ T

At 1 turn per second: ω = 2π v = 1 m/s

At 10 turns per second: ω = 20π v = 10 m/s

When mrω² is greater than mg, the carriages begin to turn outwards.

So, ω>√g/r ... This occurs at around 1.25 turns per second.

(When you turn the wheel at this pace, the carriages will begin to spin out)