Question

1. a student is riding the gravitron ride. it is turning at constant speed and the student is \stuck\ to the wall (she is at rest vertically). if the speed of the rotor increases how do the following forces that she experiences change?

normal force
friction force
a.) increases
increases
b.) stays the same
increases
c.) increases
stays the same
d.) stays the same
stays the same

Explanation:

1. Normal Force Analysis: The normal force (\(F_N\)) provides the centripetal force for circular motion. The formula for centripetal force is \(F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}\). As the speed (\(v\)) of the rotor increases (while mass \(m\) and radius \(r\) remain constant), the centripetal force required increases. Since the normal force is the centripetal force here (\(F_N = F_c\)), the normal force increases.
2. Friction Force Analysis: The student is at rest vertically, so the vertical forces are balanced. The friction force (\(F_f\)) opposes gravity and balances the weight (\(F_f = mg\)). Mass (\(m\)) and gravity (\(g\)) are constant, so the friction force remains the same.

Answer:

c. Increases (Normal Force), Stays the same (Friction Force)