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Skier Loops-the-Loop

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A skier of mass $m$ at an exhibition wants to loop-the-loop on a special (frictionless) ice track of radius $R$ set up as shown. Suppose $H = 3.5R$. All answers should be given in terms of $g$, $m$ and $R$. (Note that the picture is not drawn strictly to scale for ease of viewing.)

a) What is her apparent ``weight'' (the normal force exerted by the track on her skis) when she is upside down at the top of the loop-the-loop?

b) What is her maximum apparent ``weight'' on the loop-the-loop and where (at what point on the loop-the-loop track) does it occur? Indicate the position on the figure.



Robert G. Brown 2000-12-09