Tangential Acceleration Along an Oddly Shaped Road

[JeYo]

You solve it symbollically.

 

[JeYo]

But, you do know gravity, and when that quantity comes into effect, you use it.

 

[Shipman515]

so is this one asking for a numerical or symbolic answer?

 

[Doc Al]

It tells me that the normal force - the force of gravity = m_car * a_y = 0, yes?

No. The vertical accelerations of cars B and C are not zero. Don't forget centripetal acceleration.

(If the vertical accelerations were zero, then it would make no difference whether the cars were going over a hill or a valley: all three would be the same. But it does make a difference.)