Apparent forces in circular motion

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of a roller coaster car at the bottom of a dip, where passengers feel 50% heavier than their actual weight due to the forces in play. It is established that the normal force exceeds the weight, leading to the equation n = 1.50w. The net force acting on the car is identified as 0.5w, which serves as the centripetal force necessary for circular motion. Participants suggest using a free-body diagram and applying Newton's second law to solve for acceleration. The final calculated speed of the roller coaster car is confirmed to be 12 m/s.
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Homework Statement


The passengers in a roller coaster car feel 50% havier than their true weight as the car goes through a dip with a 30 m radius of curvature. What is the cars speed at the bottom of the dip?


Homework Equations


...


The Attempt at a Solution


I understand that there are two forces affecting the rollercoaster car - the normal force and the weight (mass x gravity)... Also since they feel 50% heavier the normal force must be greater than the weight. so n (normal force) > w (mass x gravity) thus the n = 1.50w.

So sum of force = n - w = 1.50 w - w after this I am completely lost... can anyone help please!
 
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The net force you have correctly calculated as 0.5w is the centripetal force. Calculate v using the centripetal force equation .
 
Draw a free-body diagram of the roller coaster, label all forces, and write out Newton's second law for the vertical direction. What's the acceleration?
 
thank you
I got 12m/s
 

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