Circular momentum - Loop-the-loop question.

AI Thread Summary
To determine the minimum speed for a cart to safely complete a loop-the-loop with an 18m radius, the centripetal acceleration must equal gravitational acceleration at the highest point of the loop. This means that the centripetal acceleration, calculated as v^2/r, should equal 9.8 m/s². The discussion highlights the need to equate centripetal force and gravitational force to find the required velocity. The user initially calculated the displacement but struggled with the next steps in the problem-solving process. Understanding the relationship between centripetal acceleration and gravitational force is crucial for solving this physics problem.
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Homework Statement



A loop-the-loop machine has radius 18m. What is the minimum speed at which a cart must travel so that it will safely loop the loop?

Homework Equations



centripetal acceleration: v^2/r
velocity=(2r*pi)/t
Perhaps more?



The Attempt at a Solution



To be honest, my main problem is that I'm not really sure where to start. I calculated the displacement a cart must travel, i.e. the circumference of the diameter, but I don't know what to do next..
 
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You want gravity to be nullified by centripetal acceleration when car is at highest point.
 
Ah. You mean that when it is at the highest point, the centriputal acceleration will have the same magnitude and direction as gravity and thus, we can deduce that the centriputal acceleration is 9.8ms^-2?
 
That's it.
 

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