Normal force on top of a loop?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the minimum speed required for a roller coaster to successfully navigate the top of a loop. The key equation used is n + w = m * v^2 / r, where 'n' represents the normal force and 'w' is the weight. At the critical point of barely making the loop, the normal force is set to zero, indicating that the roller coaster is in a state of free fall at the apex of the loop. This understanding clarifies the dynamics of roller coaster physics and the conditions for maintaining motion at the top of a loop.

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Say we have a roller coaster, and we want to calculate the speed the roller coaster can go at barely making the loop. Normally, the equation would be n+w=m*v^2/r, but why do we set normal equal to zero when we're solving for the minimum speed? Where does the normal come from on top of the roller coaster anyway? Thank you all so much.
 
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Hhhmmm...I am not sure I am following, but it seems to me that you already answered your own question.

What does the normal come from? It doesn't...that's why you set the normal to zero in the equation that you are solving, because if you want to calculate the point at which the roller coaster just makes it...well, at the point the coaster is "floating" and vertically stationary in midair as it is stopping from going up and getting ready to start coming down...

do I make sense?
 

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