The Cloudsplitter Gondola at Lake Placid, NY: a Physics Problem

 The Cloudsplitter Gondola: A Physics Problem

by Inaya Syed

When you think of physics, you probably reply with disdain towards the subject. I know I do. However, the recent trip to Lake Placid, NY I took emphasized that you can find physics anywhere, especially by riding the Cloudsplitter Gondola.

Rarely does anyone ever think of school subjects while taking a vacation. This is where I differ. I constantly revolve my world around my studies. 

The Cloudsplitter Gondola is a marvel; the way it takes you to the very top of the mountain, the beautiful views you see, everything is about it. I approached this with much excitement. However, as I was inside the gondola itself, I kept thinking of the physics it took to achieve this.

First, the "gondola" is just a cable car-like structure. There are clear plastic walls connected to each other and connected to a cable around a pulley system, rotating it slightly as you approach a mountain. 

Our weights, along with the gondola's weight, are dragged down by gravity. This provides a pull to the earth.

Second, the tension in the cable itself offers a force. I don't remember how much tension force there was, but it must be able to withstand a lot of tension if five people at most could fit in each car.

Third, there is the normal force, pointing upwards to the sky, which is just the opposite of the weights. Finally, there should be a net force, pointing northeast, which allows us to pull up and forward. Everybody knows when there is no net force, the object in motion would stand still. 

Free-body diagrams are below.

Overall, this attraction was quite a marvel to see. I recommend all Mechanical engineering students at least go to something similar to gain an understanding of our fields and physics, and how it plays a role in creating structures like this.