Questions: Riders on the Power Tower are launched skyward with an acceleration of 4 g, after which they experience a period of free fall. (Figure 1) Part A What is a 60 kg rider's apparent weight during the launch? Express your answer with the appropriate units. w= Value Units Part B What is a 60 kg rider's apparent weight during the period of free fall? Express your answer with the appropriate units. w= Value Units

Riders on the Power Tower are launched skyward with an acceleration of 4 g, after which they experience a period of free fall. (Figure 1)

Part A

What is a 60 kg rider's apparent weight during the launch?
Express your answer with the appropriate units.
w= Value
Units

Part B

What is a 60 kg rider's apparent weight during the period of free fall?
Express your answer with the appropriate units.
w=
Value
Units

Transcript text: Riders on the Power Tower are launched skyward with an acceleration of 4 g , after which they experience a period of free fall. (Figure 1) Part A What is a 60 kg rider's apparent weight during the launch? Express your answer with the appropriate units. $w=$ Value $\square$ Units Part B What is a 60 kg rider's apparent weight during the period of free fall? Express your answer with the appropriate units. $w=$ $\square$ Value Units

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding the Problem

We need to determine the apparent weight of a 60 kg rider during two different phases of the ride: the launch with an acceleration of $4g$ and the period of free fall.

Step 2: Apparent Weight During Launch

The apparent weight is the normal force exerted by the seat on the rider. During the launch, the rider experiences an upward acceleration of $4g$.

The total acceleration $a$ is: \[ a = 4g \]

The apparent weight $w$ can be calculated using Newton's second law: \[ w = m(g + a) \] \[ w = m(g + 4g) \] \[ w = m(5g) \]

Given: \[ m = 60 \, \text{kg} \] \[ g = 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \]

Substituting the values: \[ w = 60 \times 5 \times 9.81 \] \[ w = 2943 \, \text{N} \]

Step 3: Apparent Weight During Free Fall

During free fall, the only force acting on the rider is gravity, and there is no normal force exerted by the seat. Therefore, the apparent weight is zero.