- #1
johnj7
- 27
- 0
hello, I'm trying to study for the mcat, and I have a conceptual question about normal force, mg, and centripetal force during a loop-de-loop on a roller coaster.
Could you validate these force equations?
1. At the very bottom of the loop:
N - mg = ma = mv^2 / r
N = mg + ma
2. At the side of the loop:
N = ma = mv^2 / r
the normal force is providing all of the centripetal acceleration
3. At the very top of the loop:
N + mg = ma = mv^2 / r
N = ma - mg
Thus the normal force would be the greatest at the bottom of the loop, and least at the top of the loop.
Is all of this correct?
also, for the very top of the loop, since normal force and weight are directed downward, what force prevents the cart from just dropping off the tracts?
in relation to the previous question, what is happening on the side of the loop?
thank you very much !
Could you validate these force equations?
1. At the very bottom of the loop:
N - mg = ma = mv^2 / r
N = mg + ma
2. At the side of the loop:
N = ma = mv^2 / r
the normal force is providing all of the centripetal acceleration
3. At the very top of the loop:
N + mg = ma = mv^2 / r
N = ma - mg
Thus the normal force would be the greatest at the bottom of the loop, and least at the top of the loop.
Is all of this correct?
also, for the very top of the loop, since normal force and weight are directed downward, what force prevents the cart from just dropping off the tracts?
in relation to the previous question, what is happening on the side of the loop?
thank you very much !