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bthilton
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1. Hi, I've been reading through an introductory physics book and am having trouble understanding certain equations pertaining to centripetal force. The part of the book I am on is discussing banks and how they are used to create centripetal force on roads. It's been stumping me for months.
Specifically I am confused about the equation Fn= mg / cos theta since that reads to me "Normal force increases as theta increases(Up to 90 of course)". I thought that normal force was the force exerted on an object from the surface it rests on, which I also thought would naturally decrease as the incline steepens. It doesn't help my understanding when earlier in the book it states Fn = mg cos theta. Any help in understanding what this book is trying to tell me would be greatly appreciated.
2. Fn= mg / cos theta (Finds normal force for the equation for centripetal force, Fc=Fn sin theta = mv^2/r)
3. (Doesn't really apply.)
Specifically I am confused about the equation Fn= mg / cos theta since that reads to me "Normal force increases as theta increases(Up to 90 of course)". I thought that normal force was the force exerted on an object from the surface it rests on, which I also thought would naturally decrease as the incline steepens. It doesn't help my understanding when earlier in the book it states Fn = mg cos theta. Any help in understanding what this book is trying to tell me would be greatly appreciated.
2. Fn= mg / cos theta (Finds normal force for the equation for centripetal force, Fc=Fn sin theta = mv^2/r)
3. (Doesn't really apply.)
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