- #1
aeromat
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Homework Statement
An amusement park ride consists of a large
cylinder that rotates around a vertical axis.
People stand on a ledge inside. When the
rotational speed is high enough, the ledge
drops away and people “stick” to the wall.
If the period of rotation is 2.5 s and the radius
is 2.5 m, what is the minimum coefficient
of friction required to keep the riders from
sliding down?
Homework Equations
Rotational motion equations
Centripetal force/acceleration
The Attempt at a Solution
All I really could manage to pick out from this eq. is the 'T'-period is 2s, the radius is 2.5m. I am not too sure as to what is providing the centripetal force. I think it is the frictional force that is required to keep them in circular motion, while the gravity applies in areas where they are the top of the ride. For this question, I am lost as to what to do.