---
title: "A theme park ride consists of a large vertical wheel of radius \\( R \\) that rotates counterclockwise on a horizontal axle through its center, as shown. The cars on the wheel move at a constant speed \\( v \\). Points \\( A \\) and \\( D \\) represent the position of a car at the highest and lowest point of the ride, respectively. While passing point \\( A \\), a student releases a small rock of mass \\( m \\), which falls to the ground without hitting anything. Which of the following best represents the kinetic energy of the rock when it is at the same height as point \\( D \\)?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/91129/"
date_modified: "2025-05-06T22:16:35+00:00"
---

# A theme park ride consists of a large vertical wheel of radius \( R \) that rotates counterclockwise on a horizontal axle through its center, as shown. The cars on the wheel move at a constant speed \( v \). Points \( A \) and \( D \) represent the position of a car at the highest and lowest point of the ride, respectively. While passing point \( A \), a student releases a small rock of mass \( m \), which falls to the ground without hitting anything. Which of the following best represents the kinetic energy of the rock when it is at the same height as point \( D \)?

A theme park ride consists of a large vertical wheel of radius \( R \) that rotates counterclockwise on a horizontal axle through its center. The cars on the wheel move at a constant speed \( v \). Points \( A \) and \( D \) represent the position of a car at the highest and lowest point of the ride, respectively. While passing point \( A \), a student releases a small rock of mass \( m \), which falls to the ground without hitting anything. Which of the following best represents the kinetic energy of the rock when it is at the same height as point \( D \)?

- **A.** \[ \tfrac{1}{2} m v^{2} \]
- **B.** \[ m g R \]
- **C.** \[ 2 m g R \]
- **D.** \[ \tfrac{1}{2} m v^{2} + 2 m g R \]

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/91129/*