Force of a Roller Coaster in a Vertical Loop

[Unity]

Homework Statement

A roller coaster moves through a vertical loop at a constant speed and suspends its passengers upside down. In what direction is the force that causes the coaster and its passengers to move in a circle? What provides this force?

The Attempt at a Solution

We started this chapter friday, so I'm not even sure where to start on this one. I thought that the force would be positive, and that the force of the roller coaster is what's providing the force...but I'm not confident that I'm answering it right at all. Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Unity!

The direction and amount of the acceleration, a, is a matter of geometry, not phsyics, so find a first.

(and then use good ol' Newton's second law … F_net = ma … to find F_net)