Rollercoaster normal force question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the normal force exerted by a rotating amusement park ride on a rider at the top of the ride. The ride has a diameter of 19.0 meters and completes one rotation every 5.50 seconds. Participants are advised to use the relationship between angular velocity and centripetal force to derive the necessary equations for their calculations. A common mistake identified is confusing the rotation period with the number of rotations per second, which affects the velocity calculation. Properly applying the equations will yield the correct force and ensure riders remain safely secured.
leejos16
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Homework Statement


In an amusement park ride called The Roundup, passengers stand inside a 19.0m -diameter rotating ring. After the ring has acquired sufficient speed, it tilts into a vertical plane, as shown in the figure

1. Suppose the ring rotates once every 5.50s . If a rider's mass is 52.0kg , with how much force does the ring push on her at the top of the ride?

2. What is the longest rotation period of the wheel that will prevent the riders from falling off at the top?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm pretty sure that I have to use the equation n=m(v^2)/r - mg to get the force, but I keep getting the wrong answer HelP~
 
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Well hello Leejos, welcome to PF :smile:

The way things work here is you can get top notch assistance -- provided you make an effort yourself too, and show it.

##F_c = {m\;v^2\over r}## is a good start and you can list it under 2. relevant equations. You have m, you have r but you need another equation to get a grip on v. What could that be ? And then you can calculate an ##F_c##, but how does that relate to the force the ring exercises on the person ?
 
Try relating time period to centrifugal force, without using v
Using ##\omega##,, any idea?
 
OK first I did 5.50rps*2*pi*9.5 to get velocity. Than I used it in the equation n=52kg(328m/s)^2/9.5 - (52*9.8)
Is something wrong?
 
No YES! 5.5 s/turn is not the same as 5.5 turns per second !
 
Except I hadn't seen that equation before in this thread. But it's the right one.
 
But that's because I didn't read carefully enough o:)
I am now so brainwashed that I look for relevant equations under relevant equations.
And for attempt at solution I look under attempt at solution :wink:
 
hmm then are you saying that my velocity is wrong then? Any suggesstions how to solve it then?
 
See post #5.
 
  • #10
Leejos, if your have so much trouble finding v.
try ##find \omega## from the given time $$\omega = \frac{2 \pi}{T}$$
then use
$$F_c = MR\omega²$$
 
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