Answer: A roller coaster travels in a circular path. (a)

Chapter , Problem 60

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A roller coaster travels in a circular path. (a) Identify the forces on a passenger at the top of the circular loop that cause centripetal acceleration. Show the direction of all forces in a sketch. (b) Identify the forces on the passenger at the bottom of the loop that produce centripetal acceleration. Show these in a sketch. (c) Based on your answers to parts (a) and (b), at what point, top or bottom, should the seat exert the greatest force on the passenger? (d) Assume the speed of the roller coaster is 4.00 m/s at the top of the loop of radius 8.00 m. Find the force exerted by the seat on a 70.0-kg passenger at the top of the loop. Then, assume the speed remains the same at the bottom of the loop and find the force exerted by the seat on the passenger at this point. Are your answers consistent with your choice of answers for parts (a) and (b)?