Centripetal force in vertical circles

In summary, at the bottom of the loop, the roller coaster would need to be traveling at a speed of 14 m/s for the passengers to feel a force equivalent to three times their normal weight. At the top of the loop, they would feel weightless.
  • #1
chroncile
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Homework Statement


You have been asked to design a roller coaster track with a circular vertical loop in it. The loop is to have a radius of 10.0 m. How fast would the roller coaster have to be traveling so that at the bottom of the loop, the passengers will feel as if the seats are pressing on them with a force equivalent to three times their normal weight? What would they feel at the top of the loop?

Homework Equations


Fc = FappB - Fg
FappB = Fc + Fg

The Attempt at a Solution


3mg = mv2 + mg
2mg = mv2 / r
V = 14 m/s

How do you find out what they would feel at the top of the loop?
 
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  • #2
At the top of the loop, the passengers will feel weightless. This is because the centripetal force is equal to their weight, so they will not be pressed down by any force.
 

Related to Centripetal force in vertical circles

1. What is centripetal force?

Centripetal force is a force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, pulling it towards the center of the circle. It is necessary for an object to maintain its circular motion.

2. How is centripetal force related to vertical circles?

In vertical circles, centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path at a constant speed. It is directed towards the center of the circle, perpendicular to the velocity of the object at any given point on the circle.

3. What factors affect the centripetal force in a vertical circle?

The centripetal force in a vertical circle is affected by the mass of the object, the speed of the object, and the radius of the circle. The greater the mass and speed of the object, and the smaller the radius of the circle, the greater the centripetal force required to keep the object in its circular path.

4. How is centripetal force calculated in a vertical circle?

The formula for calculating centripetal force in a vertical circle is F = mv²/r, where F is the force in Newtons, m is the mass of the object in kilograms, v is the speed of the object in meters per second, and r is the radius of the circle in meters.

5. What happens if there is not enough centripetal force in a vertical circle?

If there is not enough centripetal force in a vertical circle, the object will not be able to maintain its circular motion and will either slow down, change direction, or fly off the circular path. This can result in the object falling towards the center of the circle or being thrown outwards.

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