Bead and loop-the-loop: normal force?

[Physicist]

Bead and loop-the-loop: normal force??

Homework Statement

A bead sliding around a loop the loop. Given its mass and speed at the top of the loop, we want the normal force on it.

Homework Equations

mv^2/r = mg + N

The Attempt at a Solution

I have the correct solution that the normal will be downward. My question is from what would this normal force exist? I mean if the bead has a hole that the track is passing through, how can we understand normal force (that comes from the contact between the bead and the track).??

Thank you

 

[PhanthomJay]

Say the hole in the bead was oversized, you know, the track might be 1 cm diameter wire, but the hole in the bead is 2cm. Do you think that the bead stays in contact with the track at the edge of the hole interface, or does it pass through it without the edges of the hole touching the rail?

 

[Physicist]

Maybe if it is moving with a height speed it not touch the rail.

Do you mean that the normal force here is a result of circular motionand is different from the normal exerted by, say, a table on a book that placed on it??

 

[PhanthomJay]

Yes, the normal force is necessary in order to keep the bead moving in a circle. But you're wrong about the bead not touching at high speed, the greater the speed, the greater the normal force, so there must be contact.

 

[Physicist]

got it..

Thanks