Loop-the-Loop: Net Force on a Ball Moving on a Vertical Loop

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The discussion focuses on calculating the net force acting on a ball moving through a vertical loop with specific parameters. The ball's mass is 0.150 kg, the loop radius is 0.200 m, and its speed is 2.00 m/s when halfway up the loop. Initial calculations incorrectly combined gravitational force and centripetal force due to misunderstanding their directions. The correct approach involves recognizing that these forces are not collinear and must be treated separately in a free body diagram. The final correct net force on the ball is 3.34 N.
KCEWMG
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Homework Statement


A small ball of mass m = 0.150 kg is sliding along a frictionless loop-the-loop. The loop-the-loop is standing on a table such that the plane of the loop is vertical. The loop has a radius of r = 0.200 m. What is the magnitude of the net force acting on the ball when it is on the right side and half-way up the loop, and moving upward with a speed of 2.00 m/s?


Homework Equations


F=ma
Centripetal Acceleration= v^2 / r


The Attempt at a Solution


Alright, here's what I've tried:
I drew a free body diagram. Facing down, I put 9.8*.150=1.47 thinking about the gravitational force. I then used the Centripetal Acceleration equation,t (2.00^2)/.2, which resulted in 20. I then multiplied this by the mass and got 3. 3-1.47 is equal to 1.53 N, which is not the correct answer. The correct answer is 3.34 N.
Where am I going wrong?
 
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Hey KCEWMG.
I think I have the solution. You're trying to add/subtract the forces acting on the ball to get the overall/resulting force acting on it, however the forces aren't collinear, therefore you can't do that. Draw you're free body diagram, with mg in the negative y direction, and the force due to the centripetal acceleration in another direction (think about it, it's always accelerating towards the centre of the of the loop-to-loop).

Hope this helps.
 
Ahh, gotcha.
CENTRIPETAL Acceleration. Thanks!
 
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