SUMMARY
The force acting on a roller coaster car and passengers with a combined mass of 1620 kg descending a 45-degree hill is calculated using gravitational force and trigonometric principles. The vertical force is determined to be 15892.2 N, and using the cosine of the angle, the force along the track is calculated to be 22475 N. However, the correct interpretation indicates that the force along the track must be less than the total vertical force of 15892.2 N, highlighting a misunderstanding in the application of trigonometric functions in this context.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
- Basic trigonometry, specifically cosine function
- Knowledge of gravitational force calculations
- Familiarity with the concept of forces acting on inclined planes
NEXT STEPS
- Review Newton's second law of motion for force calculations
- Study trigonometric functions in physics applications
- Learn about forces on inclined planes and their components
- Explore roller coaster dynamics and energy conservation principles
USEFUL FOR
Physics students, engineering students, and anyone interested in understanding the forces acting on roller coasters and similar systems.