At the top of a vertical circular loop, the minimum speed for a body to maintain contact with the track is given by

A. v equals the square root of rg
B. v equals rg
C. v equals zero
D. v equals the square root of 2rg

Explanation

At the critical speed the normal reaction falls to zero and gravity alone provides the centripetal force, so mg equals mv squared over r and v is the square root of rg. Any slower and the body leaves the track before reaching the top. This is the calculation behind loop the loop rides and the bucket of water swung overhead.

At the top of a vertical circular loop, the minimum speed for a body to maintain contact with the track is given by

Related questions