A formula to calculate speed on loop de loop

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the average speed of a hotwheels car traveling around a loop de loop, focusing on the application of physics principles such as conservation of energy and centripetal acceleration. Participants explore various calculations and formulas related to speed in both meters per second and kilometers per hour.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks help in calculating the average speed of a hotwheels car on a loop de loop, providing initial calculations for minimum speed and average speed.
  • Another participant suggests that the conservation of energy principle can be used to derive the necessary formulas for the calculations.
  • A participant discusses the conditions for a car to maintain contact with the track at the top of the loop, relating centripetal acceleration to gravitational acceleration.
  • Concerns are raised about the accuracy of the minimum speed calculated by the original poster, with a suggestion that it should be around 1.4 m/s for a loop radius of 19 cm.
  • Several participants express confusion regarding the time taken to complete the loop and request clarification on the formulas used.
  • There are repeated requests for a demonstration of how to apply the conservation of energy principle to the problem at hand.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the minimum speed required at the top of the loop, with some suggesting it should be around 1.4 m/s while others provide a different calculation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct application of the formulas and the calculations presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached a consensus on the correct minimum speed or the method for calculating the average speed, highlighting potential errors in initial calculations and assumptions about the time taken to complete the loop.

Jaja
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I am trying to calculate the average speed of a car while traveling around a loop de loop in m/s and km/h can anybody help? Thanks
 
Last edited:
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There will be several willing to help ... only if they see some initial attempt
 
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Jaja said:
I am trying to calculate the average speed of a hotwheels car while traveling around a loop de loop in m/s and km/h can anybody help? Thanks
I have been watching loop de loops on youtube and was wanting to see if I could calculate it on the hotwheels track. I worked out the minimum speed the car has to be at the top of the track to be 0.431m/s or 1.55 km/hr but calculating the average speed below , it seems too fast. Wondering if I have the formula right.

Loop radius: 19cm. Loop Time= 0.041 secs

Circumference = 2pi * 19cm radius = 0.038pi (meters)
0.038pi / 0.041 secs = avg speed in m/s
0.038pi / 0.041 = 2.91 m/s
To convert to km/h
2.91m/s * 3600 (seconds in hours) / 1000 (1000meters = km)
2.91 * 3.6 = 10.5 km/h

So the hotwheels car was traveling 2.91m/s or 10.5km/h
 
Jaja said:
Wondering if I have the formula right.

One can use the principle of the conservation of energy to derive the required formula.
 
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The limiting case of a car 'just' keeping on the track when at the top of the invert will be when the centripetal acceleration (v2/r ) is equal to g. (i.e. it is just in contact with the track) At the bottom, the extra KE will be the same as the gravitational potential difference between top and bottom (mgh). The total KE gives you the velocity, which will give you the effective 'g' at the bottom. Believe in the formula and apply it correctly and the numbers will be right.
 
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How do you know the time to go around the loop?
And your minimum speed at the top sem to be off. For a radius of 19 cm should be around 1.4 m/s I believe.
 
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Ok thank you very much
 
nasu said:
How do you know the time to go around the loop?
And your minimum speed at the top sem to be off. For a radius of 19 cm should be around 1.4 m/s I believe.
If it was, can you show me how you did the formula
Thanks
 
The formula can be obtained by using the principle of the conservation of energy... as I said earlier!
 
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  • #10
grzz said:
The formula can be obtained by using the principle of the conservation of energy... as I said earlier!
So can you show me how to do the formula as I looked on the Internet of conservation of energy I didn't understand how to use it in my question
 
  • #11
Th
nasu said:
How do you know the time to go around the loop?
And your minimum speed at the top sem to be off. For a radius of 19 cm should be around 1.4 m/s I believe.
thank you, yes I made an error now this is starting to make sense
 

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