- #1
jaded18
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A roller coaster car may be approximated by a block of mass m. The car, which starts from rest, is released at a height h above the ground and slides along a frictionless track. The car encounters a loop of radius R, as shown. Assume that the initial height h is great enough so that the car never loses contact with the track.
http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1011023/13/MPE_ug_2.jpg
so, i know kinetic energy = .5m(v^2) and centripetal force in circle is m(v^2)/R so that if i play around with the equations i can get KE = 0.5m(gR) ... but how do i take into account the height if i have to give my answer in terms of m, g, h, and R?
Anyone out there who can solve this thing?
http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1011023/13/MPE_ug_2.jpg
so, i know kinetic energy = .5m(v^2) and centripetal force in circle is m(v^2)/R so that if i play around with the equations i can get KE = 0.5m(gR) ... but how do i take into account the height if i have to give my answer in terms of m, g, h, and R?
Anyone out there who can solve this thing?