At the top of the loop, two main forces are at play: gravity (
v=9.8⋅15v equals the square root of 9.8 center dot 15 end-root v=147v equals the square root of 147 end-root v≈12.12 m/sv is approximately equal to 12.12 m/s ✅ Final Result a-roller-coaster-has-a-vertical-loop-with-radius-of-15m
) and the normal force from the track. For the "minimum" speed (the point where the car just stays on the track), the normal force is zero. We use: ≈is approximately equal to 2. Set up the equation At the top of the loop, two main
The centripetal acceleration must equal the acceleration due to gravity to keep the car from falling: At the top of the loop
The minimum speed required for the roller coaster to stay on the track at the top of a radius loop is .