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

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a block sliding down an inclined plane, moving across a horizontal surface, and then navigating a loop. The objective is to determine the normal force acting on the block at the top of the loop, given its mass, height, and speed at various points.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the normal force using the relationship between forces at the top of the loop and questions the discrepancy between their result and the provided solution. They also consider the potential energy and kinetic energy relationship.
  • Another participant suggests they may have initially used the incorrect velocity for the calculation.
  • Subsequent posts explore energy conservation principles and reevaluate the calculations based on the correct parameters.

Discussion Status

The discussion has progressed with participants exploring different approaches to the problem. There is an indication that one participant has arrived at a solution that aligns with the expected outcome, though no explicit consensus is stated.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is an ongoing examination of assumptions related to energy conservation and the conditions at the top of the loop.

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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.
 

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