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From: Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca>started
I never interpret or teach the upward force of the ground as my weight!
I can't think of a more confusing interpretation. I teach my students
that weight is the force of gravity which acts downward on everyone.
I always had trouble explaining the Ferris Wheel problems until I
moresuggesting that our sensation of weight is due to the upward force that
opposes gravity and keeps us from falling. This, IMHO, gives a much
andcogent explaination of why the rider feels near weightless at the top
thefeels twice as heavy as normal at the bottom of a Ferris Wheel moving at
appropriate speed.
You need to look at some pictures of Col. Stapp's face as he decelerates
on a rocket sled. Never again will you believe that you sense such forces
through such a crude instrument as your glutei maximi! Your sensation of
weight comes from your middle ear.
Leigh