Question

a 96 kg car will be launched onto a rollercoaster by massless spring which is fixed on the side opposite to the car. The spring witha a constant of (372 N/m) compresses a distance, d, and when released, it launches the car on a frictionless track. The track completes 1 loop (circle) with a radius of 20m. What is the minimum compression of the spring such that the car can complete the loop without falling? Assume the g is 9.81 and the car is launching on a rollercoaster like loop.

Answer 1

Answer 2

this can be solved by conservation of energy principle

Potential energy of spring is 0.5*372*d^2

when it is at topmost point Potential energy is 96*9.8*(2*20)

so

0.5*372*d^2=96*9.8*40

d=14.224m