Question

How to do this question

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) 10 m/s

(b) 22.4 m/s

Explanation:

(a) Draw a free body diagram of the car when it is at the top of the loop.  There are two forces: weight force mg pulling down, and normal force N pushing down.

Sum of forces in the centripetal direction (towards the center):

∑F = ma

mg + N = mv²/r

At minimum speed, the normal force is 0.

mg = mv²/r

g = v²/r

v = √(gr)

v = √(10 m/s² × 10.0 m)

v = 10 m/s

(b) Energy is conserved.

Initial kinetic energy + initial potential energy = final kinetic energy

½ mv₀² + mgh = ½ mv²

v₀² + 2gh = v²

(10 m/s)² + 2 (10 m/s²) (20.0 m) = v²

v = 22.4 m/s