What is the normal force on a block at the top of a loop?

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The discussion centers on calculating the normal force on a block at the top of a loop after it slides down an inclined plane and across a horizontal floor. The initial calculation yielded a normal force of 91.26 N, which was incorrect. The correct approach involves using energy conservation principles to find the velocity at the top of the loop, leading to the correct normal force of 20.7 N. The final formula incorporates both gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy, confirming the calculations. The participant expresses satisfaction with the revised solution, indicating that the method is now correct.
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Homework Statement


A block of mass m = 1.8 kg starts at rest on a rough inclined plane a height H = 8m above the ground. It slides down the plane, across a frictionless horizontal floor, and then around a frictionless loop the loop of radius R = 2.0 m. On the floor the speed of the block is observed to be 11 m/s.

What is the magnitude of the normal force exerted on the block at the top of the loop?

Homework Equations


(Flipping the y axis)
N + mg = \frac{mv^2}{R}

The Attempt at a Solution


N = \frac{mv^2}{R} - mg
N = \frac{(1.8kg)(11m/s)^2}{2m} - (1.8kg)(9.8m/s^2) = 91.26N

The solution says it's 20.7N, I'm not sure where I'm messing up. Though, I feel that maybe I should be using PE=KE?
 
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I think I got it, I'm using the velocity at the bottom of the loop instead of at the top, will post the correct solution once I get it.
 
For anyone else wondering here was the solution I came too.
KE_i = PE_f + KE_f
\frac{1}{2}mv_i^2 = mgh + \frac{1}{2}mv_f^2
h = -2R
v_i^2-4gR = v_f^2
N+mg=\frac{mv^2}{R}
N=\frac{m(v_i^2+4gR)}{R}-mg
m=1.8kg
v_i=11\frac{m}{s}
g=9.8\frac{m}{s^2}
R=2m
N=\frac{1.8((11)^2-4(9.8)(2))}{(2)}-(1.8)(9.8)

Phew, everything check out?
 
Looks right now.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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