Have you ever ridden a free-fall ride at an amusement park, where the riders are suspended at a terrifying height and then plummet towards the ground in free fall? These rides use a Lenz's law mechanism to slow the drop. In your initial post to the discussion, explain how Lenz's law applies to this situation and why this mechanism is ideal for such an application.

Question

Jan Spence

Physics

1 June, 18:26

Have you ever ridden a free-fall ride at an amusement park, where the riders are suspended at a terrifying height and then plummet towards the ground in free fall? These rides use a Lenz's law mechanism to slow the drop. In your initial post to the discussion, explain how Lenz's law applies to this situation and why this mechanism is ideal for such an application.

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Sanaa Lopez · Answer 1

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Explanation:

Lenz's law states that if the changing magnetic field produces current in the coil the electric current's direction will be such that it will oppose the cause that has produced it (magnetic field in opposite direction).

Now coming to the free fall problem, IN a free fall ride there is magnet below the seat of every rider and in the lower section of the tower there are copper stripes. When the rider fall freely the moving magnet induces electric current in the copper stripes and this current in turn produces magnetic field which opposes the motion of moving magnet slowing it down and finally stopping it.

This is the best way to provide safety to the rider as there is no need of any external force or something. Moreover, chances of failure is least. Hence and ideal mechanism.