Will cars with different mass make a loop in a tunnel with same given velocity?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on whether cars of different masses, specifically a Mercedes Benz sports car and a Ford F-150, can complete a loop in a tunnel at the same velocity without additional acceleration. Key points include the application of conservation of energy, which indicates that both cars, regardless of mass, should reach the same height in the loop if they maintain the same velocity. However, the debate highlights that while centripetal force increases with mass, the mass also resists changes in velocity, suggesting that both cars should behave similarly in this scenario.

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  • Research the mathematical formulation of centripetal force and its implications in circular motion
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chad_syracuse
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me and my colleague watched Mercedes Benz commercial where its sports car accelerated, went in a tunnel, and made a complete loop around the tunnel by going up against the wall. Now, the debate was on whether a car can manage to make a loop in a same tunnel with same given velocity entering the loop, no acceleration once the car enters the loop, and manage to make a loop with heavier car (say, Ford F-150).
With conservation of energy, it has same mass, gravity, and velocity, it must reach same height. But I think once the car hits 1/4 of the loop, centripetal force pulling down the car is greater so with same velocity Mercedes can make the loop, Ford F-150 may not.
What do you guys think?
 
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"centripetal force pulling down the car"? That does not make sense.
Anyway, centripetal force will be larger, but so will the mass that resists velocity changes. All forces scale in the same way.

Imagine a heavier car as two lighter cars directly behind each other. Or even a single car as composed of many different parts. Why should this behave differently?
 

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