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Mechanics: Circular Motion and Gravitation

Circular Motion and Gravitation: Audio Guided Solution

Problem Set CG7, Question​ 3:

A 655-kg roller coaster car starts from the top of a hill and rolls down. It enters a loop for which the radius at the top is 7.57 meters. Determine the minimum speed in meters/second (at the loop's top) at which the 655 kg roller coaster car will complete the loop without falling out of the loop. (HINT: This is the speed at which the roller coaster car wheels are just barely in contact with the track; any slower speed would turn the car into a projectile.)





 

Audio Guided Solution

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Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

  • Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
  • Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., m = 61.7 kg, v= 18.5 m/s, R = 30.9 m, Fnorm = ???.
  • Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
  • Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
  • Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.


 

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