Circular and Satellite Motion - Mission CG5 Detailed Help

To the pleasure of the air show crowd, a 62.0-kg pilot makes a series of loop-the-loops. At the top of a 176-meter diameter circular loop, the pilot is flying with a speed of 35.1 m/s. Determine the acceleration (in m/s/s), net force (in N) and the magnitudes of all individual forces when the pilot is at the top of the loop. Finally, indicate the direction of the net force and acceleration ... .

(Note: Your numbers are randomly selected and may differ from the numbers listed above.)


 
Detail #1: Many students quickly reach a standstill on the questions in this mission because they fail to click on the Direction button for acceleration and net force in order to toggle to the correct direction. Since this is central to the solution, you might do it first.
 
Detail #2: Minds on Physics calculates answers to the fourth decimal place. Your answers do not need to be that accurate. To be safe, enter at least four digits on each answer. If doing a sequence of consecutive calculations, do not round intermediate values; save all rounding until the final value has been determined. 


 
Often times, success in physics demands that you have the proper approach - a good game plan. The following strategy should serve you well:
  1. Read the physical situation, analyze the diagram and determine the direction of the net force and acceleration. Click on the Dir'n button to set the direction to inward.
  2. Determine the acceleration of the pilot from the knowledge of v and R. If necessary, see Formula Frenzy section.
  3. Determine the net force on the pilot from the knowledge of m and a. If necessary, see Formula Frenzy section.
  4. Determine the gravity force from the mass. If necessary, see Formula Frenzy section.
  5. The net force requirement is met by a combination of the gravity force and the normal force. Together, these two forces must add up to the net force. Both net force and gravity force have been calculated. Determine the normal force from these values.

All blanks should now be filled in. Check your answer. If there is a mistake, recheck your calculations and try again. Be cautious of the rounding of answers.



 
The acceleration (a) of an object moving in a circle is dependent upon the speed (v) of the object and the radius (R) of the circle. The relationship is expressed by the equation:
 
a = v2 / R


The weight of an object or gravitational force (Fgrav) is dependent upon the object's mass (m) and the acceleration of gravity (g) - 9.8 m/s/s. The relationship is expressed by the equation:   

Fgrav = m • g


The net force (Fnet) acting on an object is dependent upon the object's mass (m) and its acceleration (a). The relationship is expressed by the equation: 

Fnet = m • a


 

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