My Math Forum Centripetal force

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 December 18th, 2016, 08:51 AM #1 Newbie   Joined: Dec 2015 From: us Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Centripetal force i got a problem in physics class i dont understand. it says that an object is moving on a circle with const. speed. what is his normal force compared to his weight. i thought that it is bigger b/c there is force of gravity pointing down and centripetal force also pointing down towards center of circle (the object is exactly at top of circle) so because it's not falling down or flying, normal force equals centripetal force plus mg. Am i wrong?
December 18th, 2016, 11:20 AM   #2
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Quote:
 an object is moving on a circle with const. speed. what is his normal force compared to his weight.
The object has a male gender? Is the "object" sitting on a seat?

At the top of a vertically oriented circular path, $|F_c| = |F_N| + |mg| \implies |F_N| = |F_c|-|mg|$ ... the relationship cannot be determined unless one knows the speed and radius of the circular motion.

Suppose the "object" has a fixed weight, $mg = 200 \, N$, and the circular path has radius, $r = 10 \, m$, with a speed of $v=20 \, m/s$ ...

$F_N = \dfrac{(20 \, kg)(20 \, m/s)^2}{10 \, m} - 200 \, N= 600 \, N$

clearly, $F_N > mg$

Change the radius of rotation to $r = 25 \, m$ ...

$F_N = \dfrac{(20 \, kg)(20 \, m/s)^2}{25 \, m} - 200 \, N = 120 \, N$

$F_N < mg$

 December 18th, 2016, 02:01 PM #3 Newbie   Joined: Dec 2015 From: us Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Why is centripetal force equal normal plus gravity force? I thought it should be added to gravity force since they point in same direction. Last edited by skipjack; December 18th, 2016 at 02:46 PM.
December 18th, 2016, 02:17 PM   #4
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 Originally Posted by SRAKER123 Why is centripetal force equal normal plus gravity force? I thought it should be added to gravity force since they point in same direction.
What is the context for this problem? A roller coaster car? Is it riding at the top of the circular path on the outside of the circular loop, or upside down on the inside of the circular loop?

If not either of the above, what is the physical set up?

Last edited by skipjack; December 18th, 2016 at 02:47 PM.

 December 18th, 2016, 03:35 PM #5 Newbie   Joined: Dec 2015 From: us Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 its a skateboarder on a circular hill
 December 18th, 2016, 03:56 PM #6 Math Team   Joined: Jul 2011 From: Texas Posts: 2,412 Thanks: 1179 riding inside or outside the loop at the top? Last edited by skeeter; December 18th, 2016 at 04:32 PM.

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