Centripetal force on a stunt pilot

In summary, a stunt pilot who has been diving vertically at 150m/s pulls out to dive into a circle in the vertical plane. The minimum radius of the circle, if the force on the pilot is not to exceed 6g, is 383 times the pilot's mass. If the pilot has a mass of 80kg, the apparent weight of the pilot at the lowest point of the circle is 844N. However, it is important to clarify whether this is an unpowered dive or a powered dive at a constant speed.
  • #1
nokia8650
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A stunt pilot who has been diving vertically at 150m/s pulls out to dive into a circle in the vertical plane.

a)What is the minimum radius of the circle, if the force on the pilot is not to exceed 6g.

b)If the pilot has a mass of 80kg, what is the apparent weight of the pilot at the lowest point of the circle?My solution:

a)6g = mv^2/r
r= 383*mass metres

b) 6g = R-mg
R= g(6+80)
=844N

Is the above correct? The answer to part a) seems abit too large to me!

Thank you very much for any assistance, I really appreciate it.
 
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  • #2
nokia8650 said:
A stunt pilot who has been diving vertically at 150m/s pulls out to dive into a circle in the vertical plane.

a)What is the minimum radius of the circle, if the force on the pilot is not to exceed 6g.

b)If the pilot has a mass of 80kg, what is the apparent weight of the pilot at the lowest point of the circle?

Hi nokia8650! :smile:

i] when people say a force of 6g, they mean an acceleration of 6g … so you can forget the mass in part a)

ii] is this an unpowered dive, so that the speed increases, or a powered dive at exactly the same speed throughout? :confused:
 
  • #3


Yes, your solution for part a) is correct. The radius of the circle is indeed quite large, as the pilot needs to experience a high centripetal force in order to maintain the circular motion at such a high velocity.

For part b), the apparent weight of the pilot at the lowest point of the circle can be calculated using the formula W = mg + mv^2/r, where W is the apparent weight, m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, v is the velocity, and r is the radius. Plugging in the values, we get:

W = (80kg)(9.8m/s^2) + (80kg)(150m/s)^2/(383*80kg)
= 784N + 5.8N
= 789.8N

So the apparent weight of the pilot at the lowest point of the circle is 789.8N, which is approximately 8 times their actual weight. This is due to the combination of the force of gravity and the centripetal force acting on the pilot.
 

FAQ: Centripetal force on a stunt pilot

What is centripetal force and how does it affect a stunt pilot?

Centripetal force is the force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, directing it towards the center of the circle. For a stunt pilot, this force is important because it allows them to maintain their circular flight path without getting thrown off course.

How is centripetal force generated in a stunt plane?

Centripetal force is generated in a stunt plane through a combination of the plane's speed, its direction of motion, and the curvature of its flight path. The pilot must maintain a certain speed and direction to keep the plane in a circular path, while the curvature of the path determines the amount of force needed to maintain that path.

What happens if a stunt pilot experiences too much or too little centripetal force?

If a stunt pilot experiences too much centripetal force, they may feel a sensation of being pushed outward from the center of the circle, which can be uncomfortable or even dangerous. If they experience too little centripetal force, they may veer off their intended flight path and potentially crash.

How do factors like speed and altitude affect centripetal force on a stunt pilot?

The speed and altitude of a stunt plane can greatly affect the amount of centripetal force experienced by the pilot. Higher speeds and lower altitudes result in higher amounts of centripetal force, while lower speeds and higher altitudes result in lower amounts of centripetal force.

What are some practical applications of understanding centripetal force for stunt pilots?

Understanding centripetal force is crucial for stunt pilots to safely perform aerial maneuvers and maintain control of their plane. It also allows them to calculate the necessary speed and curvature of their flight path for specific stunts. Additionally, understanding centripetal force can help stunt pilots avoid accidents and perform emergency maneuvers if needed.

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