Question

90 m (15 points) A roller coaster ride at an amusement park lifts a car of mass 700 kg to point A at a height of 90 m above the lowest point on the track, as shown above. The car starts from rest at point A. rolls with negligible friction down the incline and follows the track around a loop of radius 20 m. Point B. the highest point on the loop, is at a height of 50 m above the lowest point on the track Roller Coaster Problem: Since the centripetal force has the Same magnitude at every point in the loop explain why the Normal force exerted on the passengers by the seat is greater at some points than others. Explain specifically what is happening at points B and C. Ya

Answer 1

At point B:

N = normal force in down direction

Fc = centripetal force towards the center

Fg = force of gravity in down direction

Force equation is given as

N + Fg = Fc

N = Fc - Fg

At point C:

N' = normal force in Up direction

Fc = centripetal force towards the center

Fg = force of gravity in down direction

Force equation is given as

N' - Fg = Fc

N' = Fc + Fg

we see that the normal force at C is different from normal force B because of the force equations we have for the two cases.