Calculating Roller Coaster Speed at the Bottom of a Dip

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of a roller coaster at the bottom of a dip, specifically focusing on the effects of centripetal force and the relationship between normal force and gravitational force. The problem involves concepts from physics related to circular motion and forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of the equation mv²/r to find the speed and question how to apply it in the context of the problem. There are attempts to relate the increase in perceived weight to the forces acting on the passengers. Some participants express uncertainty about their calculations and the correct interpretation of the problem.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing insights into the relationship between forces and suggesting how to set up the equations. There is a recognition of the need to clarify whether the problem is asking for tangential or rotational velocity. One participant indicates they have resolved their confusion.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of forum guidelines requiring participants to provide attempted solutions or thoughts before receiving help, which influences the nature of the discussion.

lmc489
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The weight of passengers on a roller coaster increases by 50 % as the car goes through a dip with a 36 m radius of curvature.

What is the car's speed at the bottom of the dip?

Do you use the equation mv^2/r ??

how would you go about doing this problem?
 
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lmc489 said:
The weight of passengers on a roller coaster increases by 50 % as the car goes through a dip with a 36 m radius of curvature.

What is the car's speed at the bottom of the dip?

Do you use the equation mv^2/r ??

how would you go about doing this problem?
That looks like a good equation to use. What have you attempted thus far?

Just to make you aware that the PF guidelines require that you post an attempted solution, or at least detail your thoughts, before we can help you with a homework question.
 
uk=F/N
F=mg
F=mw^2r

mw^2r=N

uk=F/N

(30kg)(w^2)(2.45m)=30g/.4

somehow i don't think I am getting the right answer though... i get like 1.01 rad/s but i don't think that's right?
 
If the passengers feel as if their "weight" increases by 50% at the bottom then that means that the normal force acting up on them is going to be 50% more than the force of gravity acting down on them.

You know that the sum of the forces (in this case it would be Normal - Fg) is going to be equal to the Centripetal Force (mv^2/R).

Set up the equation and you will be able to solve for velocity.

PS- Does the problem ask for tangential of rotational velocity? I would think that for this type of problem the answer would be tangential Velocity.
 
nevermind! i got it!
 

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