martha is going to ride the ferris wheel at the state fair. she climbs onto a platform that is a few feet…
martha is going to ride the ferris wheel at the state fair. she climbs onto a platform that is a few feet above ground level and gets in her seat. then, she rides the ferris wheel up and down for three full rotations before getting off. which graph could show martha’s height above ground over time during her ride on the ferris wheel?
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Analyze Ferris Wheel Motion
Martha's height on a Ferris wheel follows a periodic (sinusoidal) pattern. A full rotation creates one cycle of height (up, down, repeat). Three rotations mean three cycles. Her initial height is above ground (not zero), so the graph starts at a positive y - value.
Step2: Evaluate Each Graph
- Top - left/ bottom - left: These are circles, but height vs. time should be a wave (periodic function), not a circle. Eliminate.
- Bottom - right: Starts at height 0, but Martha starts on a platform above ground. Eliminate.
- Top - right: Shows a periodic wave (sinusoidal - like) with three cycles (for three rotations) and starts at a positive height (matches starting on a platform above ground).