In: Advanced Math
Determine the equation of a sine or cosine function for the vertical position, in metres, of a rider on a Ferris Wheel, after a certain amount of time, in seconds. The maximum height above the ground is 26 metres and the minimum height is 2 metres. The wheel completes one turn in 60 seconds. Assume that the lowest point is at time = 0 seconds.
Given,
A rider on Ferris wheel.
We need to find the vertical position in metres of the rider at a certain amount of time, in seconds.
Given, maximum and minimum vertical position of the rides as 26m and 2 m resp.
Let, the vertical position of the rider at time t is y metres
Also, the lowest point is at t= 0 sec. This means that at t= 0 , vertical position, y = 2m
So, radius of the Ferry wheel is 12m(as shown in fig.1)
Hence, the vertical position of the rider at a certain amount of time t(in seconds) is:
y = 14 - 12cos(πt/30) metres.