Roller coaster at bottom of dip weight increases 50%?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the speed of a roller coaster at the bottom of a dip where its weight increases by 50%. The radius of the dip is specified as 30 meters. The relevant equations include the net force equation Fnet = mv²/r and the relationship between normal force and gravitational force. The conclusion is that at the bottom of the dip, the total downward force is 1.5mg, leading to the determination of the speed based on the net forces acting on the roller coaster.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of uniform circular motion principles
  • Familiarity with Newton's laws of motion
  • Knowledge of centripetal force calculations
  • Basic grasp of forces acting on objects in circular paths
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of centripetal acceleration in circular motion
  • Learn how to apply Newton's second law to circular motion problems
  • Explore the relationship between normal force and gravitational force in dynamics
  • Investigate real-world applications of forces in roller coaster design
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of roller coasters and circular motion analysis.

BC2210
Messages
17
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A roller coasters weight increases 50% through the center of a dip in the track. The radius of the dip is 30m. What is the speed at the bottom?

Homework Equations



This is a uniform circular motion problem correct? But how do I calculate if I don't know the weight?

v = \omegar
Fnet = mv2/r

The Attempt at a Solution



So is weight twice that of the normal force? Or the normal force has to balance it out by increasing by 50% as well?

Or should I be thinking in terms of \omega instead of forces?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You are on the right track ;-)
At the bottom of the curve their weight due to gravity is 'mg'
You are simply looking for the centrifugal force that equals half this.

Then the total force downward is 1.5mg
 
So right now I have F = N - (1.5mg) ...

which is the only forces acting on the car...

but I thought the force has to point to the middle of the circle?
 
N - W = (mv2)/r

but in the book it says the normal force is greater than the weight, resulting in a force pointing towards the center...
 
The normal force acting on the car must equal the force of the car on the track.
At the bottom of the curve there is weight acting down and centrifugal acting outward - which = down at the bottom of the curve.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
6K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K
Replies
1
Views
1K