To prevent cars from falling, the radius at the top of the circle should be
small such cars inverted at the top remain attached during motion.
Correct response;
The radius of the coaster can be <u>C) 20 m</u>
<h3>Method by which the above option is selected</h3>Mass of roller coaster car, m = 500 kg
Speed at the top of the circle, v = 20 m/s
Required:
The maximum radius of the circular path the roller coaster car.
Solution:
Where;
r = The radius of the circular path.
Weight of the roller coaster car = m·g = The centripetal force
Where;
g = Acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s²
At equilibrium, we have;
Centrifugal force = Centripetal force
Therefore;
Which gives;
The maximum radius for safety of a roller coaster, r ≈ 40.77 meters
Which gives;
Range of the radius of the circle = 10.2 ≤ Radius of circle ≤ 40.77
The correct option for safety considerations is therefore;
- <u>C) 20 m</u>
<em>The possible question options are;</em>
<em>A) 5 m B) 10 m C) 20 m D) 40 m E) 80 m</em>
Learn more about centripetal force here: