The Niagara SkyWheel Teacher Resource Guide Grades 9-12

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The Niagara SkyWheel Teacher Resource Guide Grades 9-12 Welcome to The Niagara SkyWheel! Arrival and Entry Please allow ample time for parking and obtaining tickets.

1 The Niagara SkyWheel Teacher Resource Guide Grades 9-12 Welcome to The Niagara SkyWheel! Arrival and Entry Please allow ample time for parking and obtaining tickets. Safety To have the best adventure possible, please abide by all safety precautions posted and given by our staff. If you have any questions during your experience, please speak to any member of our team. Additional Information For information on The Niagara SkyWheel visit Directions We are conveniently located right at the heart of Clifton Hill Clifton Hill Niagara Falls, On. Contents Introduction 1 Background Information 2-4 Student Activities 5-6 Answer Guide 7 Educational Objectives Learn the major differences between a Ferris wheel and an observation wheel Perform basic calculations to determine Niagara SkyWheel s circumference, velocity, and capacity Analyze the motion of the Wheel using Newton s Laws List Landmarks visible from gondola 1

Background Information The History of the Ferris Wheel 200 B.C.

1620 - Peter Murphy visited a small-town celebration in Turkey. One of the rides included two vertical wheels (about 20 feet across) that were held off the ground by a large post on each side.

Early pleasure wheel depicted in 17th century engraving 1848 - Antonio Maguino established a pleasure wheel to draw crowds to his rural park and picnic grounds in Walton Spring, Georgia.

2 Background Information The History of the Ferris Wheel 200 B.C. - The earliest designs of wheels used for amusement rides may have been based on the large, circular wheels used to lift water for irrigation Peter Murphy visited a small-town celebration in Turkey. One of the rides included two vertical wheels (about 20 feet across) that were held off the ground by a large post on each side. The ride was called a "pleasure wheel." In England, small hand-turned wheels were called "ups-and-downs" and had four passenger seats. Early pleasure wheel depicted in 17th century engraving Antonio Maguino established a pleasure wheel to draw crowds to his rural park and picnic grounds in Walton Spring, Georgia. The wheel was made of wood and powered by two men A French pleasure wheel existed that could carry 16 passengers. Men would climb a ladder to the top and turn it by hand! The race for larger wheels culminated when American bridge builder and engineer, George Washington Gale Ferris, began building a 250-foot wheel for the 1893 Colombian Exposition in Chicago. Designed like a bicycle wheel, with a stiff steel outer rim hung from the center axle by steel spokes under tension, the wheel could carry as many as 1,440 passengers at a time in 36 enclosed cars. The giant wheel opened on June 21, 1893, and drew more than 1.4 million paying customers during the 19 weeks it was in operation. The original Chicago Ferris Wheel built in 1893 The London Eye, built in Since the original 1893 Chicago Ferris Wheel, there have been nine world s tallest-ever Ferris wheels. The current record holder is the 500-foot-High Roller in Las Vegas, Nevada, which opened to the public in March Info source : Photo source: 2

Background Information How does The Niagara SkyWheel Differ from a Ferris Wheel What is the difference between a Ferris Wheel and

The Niagara SkyWheel, as well as the London Eye, are considered Observation Wheels, and differ from Ferris Wheels in the following

the pictures below: Supported by two towers one on each side of the axle View could be obstructed by the wheel itself usually less

3 Background Information How does The Niagara SkyWheel Differ from a Ferris Wheel What is the difference between a Ferris Wheel and an Observation Wheel? The Niagara SkyWheel, as well as the London Eye, are considered Observation Wheels, and differ from Ferris Wheels in the following ways: Ferris Wheels: Feature free-swing open passenger seats or carriages suspended from the end of the spoke See the difference in the pictures below: Supported by two towers one on each side of the axle View could be obstructed by the wheel itself usually less than 110 feet in height. Observation Wheels: Features enclosed passenger Gondola s designed to remain stable throughout the rotation. Supported by an A-frame support Offer a 360-degree unobstructed view. Ferris Wheels: The Niagara SkyWheel: 3

4 Background Information Physics Terminology 101 Acceleration: A change in the velocity and/or direction of an object. Centripetal Force: A force that acts on an object moving in a circular path that is directed towards the center of the path. Circumference: The distance around a circle. Is calculated by multiplying π (approximately 3.14) times the diameter of a circle Diameter: The distance across a circle through the center (twice the radius) Force: A push or pull on an object which causes a change in velocity, direction, or shape. As stated in Newton s second law of motion, force equals mass times acceleration. Gravity: The force that tends to draw objects towards the center of the Earth. Inertia: The tendency to resist change in motion. Mass: The amount of matter within an object is called mass. The greater the mass, the greater the force to achieve motion. Velocity: The distance an object moves over a period of time, with its direction of motion. Velocity is calculated by dividing distance traveled by time or V=D/T (Speed is velocity without direction). Weight: Differs from mass in that it actually measures the pull of gravity of an object. It equals mass times the acceleration of gravity (9.8m/s2 on Earth). 4

5 Wheel and Gondola Facts Wheel and Gondola Specifications Capacity: 42 Gondolas accommodating up to 8 people each Cycle time: Approximately 12 minutes Gondola weight: 600 pounds The Niagara SkyWheel height: 53 Meters Maximum RPM = 1.5 Diameter of Wheel = 50 Meters Let s test the facts! Write your final answer on the line. Make sure to show your work! 1. What is the greatest number of people the observation wheel can accommodate at one time? 2. What is the maximum number of people that can ride the Niagara SkyWheel in one hour (60 minutes)? 3. What is the circumference of the wheel if C = π x 2r (π 3.14) 4. What distance does a Niagara SkyWheel Gondola travel as it makes one complete revolution? 5. What distance does a Gondola travel over the course of a 12-hour day, completing three rotations a cycle? 6. If V=D T where D is distance and T is time, what is the velocity of a Niagara SkyWheel Gondola at top speed? 7. How many hours would it take for a Niagara SkyWheel Gondola to travel approximately 20 kilometers? V=D T (Hint: Use your answer from #6) 5

Newton and the SkyWheel Newton s Laws Newton s 1st Law of Motion: Law of Inertia An object at rest tends to stay at rest, and an object in motion tends to stay in motion UNLESS acted on by an outside

6 Newton and the SkyWheel Newton s Laws Newton s 1st Law of Motion: Law of Inertia An object at rest tends to stay at rest, and an object in motion tends to stay in motion UNLESS acted on by an outside force. Newton s 2nd Law of Motion: A relationship exists between force, mass, and acceleration, and that relationship is Force = mass times acceleration, or Newton s 3rd Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, or for every force, there is an equal and opposite force. 1. How does Newton s 1st Law apply to The Niagara SkyWheel? 2. Considering Newton s 3rd Law, explain the equal and opposite forces at work at any given time on a Niagara SkyWheel. Below, sketch a Gondola with arrows labeling the forces in action. 6

7 Sample Responses: Page 5: 1. 8 x 42 = x 5 = x 3.14 x 60 = 157 Meters meters (The circumference) x 180 = Meters = m/s (3.925 X 60 X 60) = 1.41 Hours Page 6: 1. Answers will vary, but may include responses describing how a Niagara Skywheel Gondola will not move unless acted on by an outside force, such as gravity or a push from mechanisms in the Wheel. Once the Gondola is in motion, it will only stop or slow down if acted on by an outside force, such as gravity or friction. 2. Simple forces acting on the Niagara Skywheel include air resistance, static friction from the bolts fastening the Gondola to the Wheel, the push/pull of the Wheel on the Gondola, or gravity. Students can form action-reaction pairs from combinations of these forces. 7

Table of Contents School Information 2 Note Page 3 Words of Physics 4 Gut Feelings at the Park 5 Helpful Formulas 6 Fun Facts 7 Heart Rate 8 Inverter

Table of Contents School Information 2 Note Page 3 Words of Physics 4 Gut Feelings at the Park 5 Helpful Formulas 6 Fun Facts 7 Heart Rate 8 Inverter 9 Canyon Blaster 10-11 Extreme Ride Theater 12 BC Bus