Centripetal acceleration of Earth around Sun?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around centripetal acceleration, specifically in the context of Earth's motion around the Sun and a related question about roller coasters. Participants are exploring the calculations and concepts associated with centripetal force and acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to calculate the centripetal acceleration of Earth using its orbital radius and period, questioning the validity of their calculations. Others are discussing the forces acting on a roller coaster at the top of a loop, considering the balance of gravitational and centripetal forces.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify misunderstandings about the calculations for centripetal acceleration and the forces involved in roller coaster dynamics. Some participants are providing insights into the relationships between forces, while others express confusion about specific aspects of the problems.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential misunderstandings regarding the orbital period of Earth and the assumptions made in the roller coaster scenario. Participants are questioning the definitions and setups of the problems presented.

psycovic23
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New question: centripetal force?

I can't seem to get the right answer...

R = 1.50 x 10^11

and I figure that 1 day/rev = 86400 sec/rev

So: [tex]\frac {2 \pi 1.50 * 10^{11}}{86400}[/tex] is the velocity, and then plug that into [tex]\frac {v^2}{r}[/tex] but I keep on getting 700 something..what am I doing wrong?



Question 2: At what minimum speed must a roller coaster be traveling when upside down at the top of a circle if the passengers are not to fall out? R = 8.6m

What I think you have to do is
[tex]mg + F_c = m * \frac {v^2}{R}[/tex]

but I don't know what F would be...or am I approaching this the wrong way?
 
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psycovic23 said:
I can't seem to get the right answer...
R = 1.50 x 10^11
and I figure that 1 day/rev = 86400 sec/rev
So: [tex]\frac {2 \pi 1.50 * 10^{11}}{86400}[/tex] is the velocity, and then plug that into [tex]\frac {v^2}{r}[/tex] but I keep on getting 700 something..what am I doing wrong?

Whoever told you that the Earth circles (on an ellipse :-p ) the Sun in one day (86400s) is a WACKO!

Daniel.

PS.I hope u see the error. :-p
 
Wow. I'm dumb :-p
 
*Bump for new question*
 
Hmm - Newton's second law(the mass cancels)... so, the centripetal acceleration has to be bigger than the gravitational acceleration.

[tex] \frac{v^2}{r} > -g[/tex]
 
psycovic23 said:
Question 2: At what minimum speed must a roller coaster be traveling when upside down at the top of a circle if the passengers are not to fall out? R = 8.6m

What I think you have to do is
[tex]mg + F_c = m * \frac {v^2}{R}[/tex]

but I don't know what F would be...or am I approaching this the wrong way?
So far, so good. What you call [itex]F_c[/itex] is the force exerted by the coaster on the passenger. The minimum speed of the coaster is that which will make [itex]F_c = 0[/itex]. When that force goes to zero, it means that the passengers are beginning to lose contact with the seat.
 
Ah, thank you very much!
 

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