Frictionless Bank: Normal Force vs. Weight

The horizontal component of the normal force is responsible for holding a car in a frictionless banked curve. In summary, the horizontal component of the normal force is responsible for holding a car in a frictionless banked curve, and this is because it provides the necessary centripetal acceleration for circular motion.
  • #1
Rawr
15
0
Which force is responsible for holding a car in a frictionless banked curve?

The answer is the horizontal component of the normal force. But could anyone explain why that is?

I thought it would be the horizontal component of the weight since normal force is vertical?
 
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  • #2
Rawr said:
I thought it would be the horizontal component of the weight since normal force is vertical?
The weight acts vertically--it has no horizontal component. The normal force is perpendicular to the road surface; since the road is banked (at an angle) that normal force is not vertical.
 
  • #3
This is a rotational velocity problem. There are two kinda 'normal' forces here. The real vertical normal force to resist gravity, and the horizontal force in the 'normal' directionto accelerate the object along a curve.
 
Last edited:
  • #4
This is a problem involving circular motion and thus centripetal acceleration. There is only one normal force, which is perpendicular to the road surface. That normal force has vertical and horizontal components.
 

FAQ: Frictionless Bank: Normal Force vs. Weight

1. What is the difference between normal force and weight?

The normal force and weight are two different forces that act on an object. The normal force is the force exerted by a surface on an object that is in contact with it, while weight is the force of gravity on an object. The normal force is always perpendicular to the surface, while weight is always directed towards the center of the Earth.

2. How do normal force and weight affect friction in a frictionless bank scenario?

In a frictionless bank scenario, normal force and weight do not directly affect friction because there is no friction present. However, the normal force and weight still play a role in keeping the object in motion on the bank without slipping or sliding off.

3. Can the normal force ever be greater than weight in a frictionless bank scenario?

In a frictionless bank scenario, the normal force and weight are equal and opposite in magnitude. This is because the object is not accelerating and is in a state of equilibrium. The normal force can only be greater than weight if there is an additional force acting on the object, such as an external force pushing down on it.

4. How does the angle of the bank affect the normal force and weight?

The angle of the bank affects the normal force and weight by changing the components of these forces that act parallel and perpendicular to the surface. As the angle increases, the normal force decreases while the weight remains constant. This means that the weight has a greater influence on the motion of the object on steeper banks.

5. What other factors besides normal force and weight affect an object's motion on a frictionless bank?

In addition to normal force and weight, other factors that can affect an object's motion on a frictionless bank include the object's velocity, mass, and the angle of the bank. These factors can impact the object's tendency to slide or slip on the bank and can change the direction and magnitude of the object's motion.

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