I didn't include part a) in the initial question, and it required you to calculate the normal force at the bottom of the circle (which required you to first find the centripetal force) and it did not equal mg.
I just don't understand how in part c) the solution guide begins with Fn=0 at the top...
I thought in this situation there is always an inward normal force. If there is no normal force at the top and the centripetal force is constant, then the centripetal force must be mg (which it is not). Why does the centripetal force change at this point?
Thank you for your response
I am not too sure as to how to approach part c. of this question. In the vertical plane, the centripetal force is provided by the normal force and the force of gravity. However, the solution to this problem includes a description of the forces at the top of the loop, where the normal force is...