The Orlando Eye
Teacher Resource Guide
Grades 9-12
“An ‘Eye’ on Physics”
Arrival and Entry
Please allow ample time for parking and
obtaining tickets. To book a FREE
education workshop with your trip,
please contact our call center at 866-2286444. Workshops must be booked in
advance.
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 Orlando Eye and
our FREE education workshops, visit our
website: www.officialorlandoeye.com
Contents:
Introduction
1
Ferris Wheel vs. Orlando Eye
2-3
An “Eye” on Physics
4-7
A Look “A-round” Florida
8-12
Sample Responses
13-14
Relevant Standards
15-16
Directions
We are conveniently located at I-Drive 360.
Please use our east entrance found on
Universal Boulevard.
8401 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Educational Objectives:
Students will be able to…
•
Contrast the differences between a
Ferris wheel and an Observation wheel.
•
Calculate Orlando Eye measurements
using single and multi-variable
equations
•
Apply Newtonian physics principles,
such as motion and gravity, to their
experience on the Orlando Eye.
1|Page
The Orlando Eye
History of the Observation Wheel
200 B.C. - The large, circular wheels used to lift water for irrigation
may have inspired the earliest designs of wheels used for amusement
rides.
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. The ride was
called a "pleasure wheel."
1728 - In England, small hand-turned wheels were called "ups-anddowns" and had four passenger seats.
1848 - 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.
1860 - A French pleasure wheel existed that could carry 16
passengers. Men would climb a ladder to the top and turn it by hand!
1893 - 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.
2014 - 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 2014.
May 2015 - The Orlando Eye opens to the public, providing
breathtaking views of Central Florida. At 400 feet in height, it is the
tallest observation wheel on the East Coast of the U.S.A.
2|Page
The Orlando Eye
Reinventing the Wheel
What is the difference between a Ferris Wheel and an Observation Wheel?
The Orlando Eye, as well as the London Eye, are considered Observation Wheels, and differ
from Ferris Wheels in the following ways:
Ferris Wheels:
•
Feature free-swing passenger
gondolas or carriages
suspended from the rim
• Supported by two towers on
each side of the axles
• View can sometimes be
obstructed by the wheel itself
Observation Wheels:
•
•
•
Feature enclosed passenger
capsules designed to remain
stable throughout the rotation
Supported by an A-frame
support
Offers a 360° unobstructed
view
See the difference in the pictures below:
Ferris Wheel:
The Orlando Eye:
Can you observe any other differences?
3|Page
Key Terms
Physics
•
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 3.1416) times the diameter
of a circle (𝐶𝐶 = 2πr).
•
•
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, and/or shape. As stated in
Newton’s second law of motion, force equals mass times
acceleration or 𝐹𝐹 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚.
•
Inertia: The tendency to resist change in motion.
•
Mass: The amount of matter (or “stuff”) within an object.
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
Gravity: The force that tends to draw objects towards each
other another object, like the moon and the Earth.
dividing distance traveled by time or 𝑣𝑣 =
velocity without direction).
•
•
𝑑𝑑
𝑡𝑡
(Speed is
Weight: The pull of gravity on an object, NOT its mass. It
equals mass times the acceleration of gravity. (9.8m/s2 on
Earth). 𝐹𝐹𝑔𝑔 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
4|Page
The Wheel Goes Round
Acceleration & Velocity
1. Use the information below to create a Distance vs. Time line graph that shows the motion of
one capsule on the Orlando Eye. (SC.912.P.12.2; MAFS.912.S-ID.3.7)
Distance (m)
Time (min)
0
0
9.5
0.5
19
1
28.5
1.5
38
2
47.5
2.5
57
3
*Values are approximate
a. Based on the graph, is the velocity of the capsule constant or not constant? Based on
the evidence, explain your answer.
b. What is the average velocity of the capsule? 𝒗𝒗 =
𝒅𝒅
𝒕𝒕
c. Does the capsule’s acceleration change? Explain your answer.
5|Page
The Wheel Goes Round
Capacity & Circumference
Wheel and Capsule Specifications
• Capacity: 30 capsules accommodating up to15 people each
• Cycle time: ~ 20 minutes
• Capsule weight: 6600 pounds
 About the weight of a medium-sized elephant!
• The Orlando Eye height: 400 feet
Answer the following questions about the Orlando Eye. Make sure to show your work!
(SC.912.P.12.2; MAFS.912.A-CED.1.1; MAFS.912.A-CED.1.4)
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 Orlando Eye in
one hour (60 minutes)?
3. ________________What is the circumference of the wheel if 𝑪𝑪 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝐫𝐫? (𝝅𝝅≈3.14)
4. ________________What distance does an Orlando Eye capsule travel as it makes one
complete revolution?
5. ________________What distance does a capsule travel over the course of a 12 hour day?
𝒅𝒅
6. ________________If 𝒗𝒗 = , where d is distance and t is time, what is the velocity of an
𝒕𝒕
Orlando Eye capsule?
7. ________________How many hours would it take for an Orlando Eye capsule to travel
𝒅𝒅
approximately 2,260.8 meters? 𝒗𝒗 = (Hint: Use your answer from #6)
𝒕𝒕
6|Page
An Eye on Newton
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
Newton’s Law of Gravity
Sir Isaac Newton was the first to suggest that gravity was universal and affects
all objects in the universe. Newton’s discovery explains that the force (gravity)
that causes an apple to fall from a tree is the same force that causes the moon
to rotate around the Earth. Furthermore, every object that has mass has gravity,
even you! This means that there’s a gravitational pull between you and every
object around you- a pencil, this guide, even the Earth! You’re pulling on the
Earth while it is pulling on you!
Some factors that influence the strength of gravity:
•
The more mass an object has, the stronger its force of gravity. So big
objects, like planets, have a stronger pull than small ones, like a pencil.
•
The more mass an object has, the more gravity pulls on it. This pull has a
special name, known as “weight.” So mass is how much matter is in
something, but weight is how strong gravity’s pull is on it.
•
Objects that are closer together have a stronger pull (force of gravity) on
each other than objects that are far apart.
Sir Isaac Newton
Apply to the Eye:
1. Which has a stronger gravitational force: you or the Orlando Eye? Why? (SC.912.P.12.4)
2. Throughout the day, the strength of the pull of gravity from the Earth on each capsule of
the Orlando Eye changes. What factors could cause this? (SC.912.P.12.4)
3. What is the difference between “mass” and “weight?” Which one would change as you ride
the Orlando Eye? (SC.912.P.12.4)
7|Page
An Eye on Newton
Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion
Newton’s Laws of Motion
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 𝐹𝐹 = 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
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.
Apply to the Eye:
1. If several people boarded an Orlando Eye capsule, causing the mass to increase,
what would have to happen to the force necessary to move the capsule
assuming the acceleration remained constant? Use Newton’s 2nd Law to guide
your response. (SC.912.P.12.4)
2. Which of Newton’s 3 laws of motion is BEST represented by the motion diagram
of the Orlando Eye below? Justify your answer. (SC.912.P.12.4; SC.912.P.12.1)
8|Page
Sample Responses:
Page 3:
Accept any reasonable answers
Page 5:
1.
a. The graph depicts a line with a constant slope (no curves or bends), meaning that the
capsule has a constant velocity.
b. The velocity of the capsule is 19 m/min.
c. Acceleration is defined as a change in velocity or direction, so even though the velocity
of the capsule is constant, it IS accelerating because it changes direction as it goes
around the wheel.
Page 6:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
15 × 30 = 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩
450 × 3 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩 𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩 𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡
2 × 𝜋𝜋 × 60 m ≈ 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑. 𝟖𝟖 𝐦𝐦
376.8 m (circumference)
376.8 × 36 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝐦𝐦
𝑣𝑣 =
7. 𝑡𝑡 =
13564.8 𝑚𝑚
= 113.4 m/hr
12 ℎ𝑟𝑟
13564.8 𝑚𝑚
= 2 hr
1130.4 𝑚𝑚/ℎ𝑟𝑟
9|Page
Sample Responses:
Page 7:
1. The Orlando Eye because it has a greater mass
2. One factor is that the mass of the capsules will change as people get on and off the ride. A
greater mass means a greater gravitational pull. Another factor is that the distance of each
capsule from the Earth will change as it goes around the wheel. The further away the capsule
is from the Earth, the weaker the pull of gravity upon it.
3. Mass is the amount of matter in an object, while weight is the force of the pull of gravity upon it.
Your weight will change as you ride the Orlando Eye because the pull of gravity will change as
you get further away from the Earth. Your mass will not change.
Page 8:
1. According to Newton’s 2nd Law, since F=ma, the force necessary to move the capsule at the
same acceleration would increase if the mass of the capsule increased.
2. (Answers may vary) The diagram best represents Newton’s 3rd Law, because it shows that for
every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. As the top of the wheel moves to the
right, it causes the bottom of the wheel to move to the left at the same speed.
10 | P a g e
Relevant Sunshine
State Standards:
9th -12th GRADES
Relevant standards include:
SCIENCE:
•
•
•
•
(SC.912.P.12.3) Interpret and apply Newton's three laws of motion.
(SC.912.P.12.4) Describe how the gravitational force between two objects depends on their
masses and the distance between them.
(SC.912.P.12.2) Analyze the motion of an object in terms of its position, velocity, and
acceleration (with respect to a frame of reference) as functions of time.
(SC.912.P.12.1) Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities and assess which should
be used to describe an event.
MATHEMATICS:
•
•
(MAFS.912.S-ID.3.7) Interpret the slope (rate of change) and the intercept (constant term) of
a linear model in the context of the data.
(MAFS.912.A-CED.1.1) Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to
solve problems. Include equations arising from linear and quadratic functions, and simple
rational, absolute, and exponential functions.
(MAFS.912.A-CED.1.4) Rearrange formulas to highlight a quantity of interest, using the same
reasoning as in solving equations. For example, rearrange Ohm’s law V = IR to highlight
resistance R.
11 | P a g e