During their physics field trip to the amusement park, Leslie and Maria took a ride on the Whirligig. The Whirligig ride consists of long swings which spin in a circle at relatively high speeds. As part of their lab, Leslie and Maria estimate that the riders travel through a circle with a radius of 6.5 m and make one circle every 5.8 seconds. Determine the frequency, the period, the speed and acceleration of the riders on the Whirligig

a) frequency = 0.1724 Hz

b) Period = 5.8 sec

c) speed = 7.04 m/s

d) acceleration = 7.62 m/s²

Explanation:

Given that;

radius = 6.5m

time period = 5.8 sec every circle

a)  the frequency

frequency is the number of rotation in unit time

frequency = 1 / time period = 1/5.8

frequency = 0.1724 Hz

b)  the period

period is time taken in one rotation

period = total time / rotation = 5.8 / 1

Period = 5.8 sec

c)  the speed

speed = distance/time = circumference/time period = 2πr / t = (2π×6.5) / 5.8

speed = 7.04 m/s

d) acceleration

To find the acceleration we take the linear velocity squared divided by the radius of the circle.

so

acceleration = v² / r = (7.04)² / 6.5 = 49.5616 / 6.5

acceleration = 7.62 m/s²

when two balls of the different masses are dropped from equal height, they reach the ground at the same time .this is because they experience the same acceleration.

the acceleration is independent of mass.

thus when they are dropped they will always maintain the same velocity and travel the same distance (neglect air resistance of course) at the same time.