The Hanging Coaster (an overhead view)
When the hanging roller coaster begins its journey there
are only two forces that are visible from the top view and are
acting upon the person riding in the car. These two forces are
air friction and the force created by the back wall of the car.
The air friction and force of the back wall are equal, and are
continuous throughout the entire ride. The forces are equal because
before the coaster goes into the turn the velocity is constant.
When the coaster begins the turn the FN (Normal force) appears. FN is primarily
the force acting from the bottom of the seat on the person. Throughout the entire
turn the FN stays constant since the curve shown is a half circle. A centripetal
force is created with
the FN, keeping the passenger in a circle. The FN disappears as
the coaster comes out of the turn.
Though the front view is not visible from this animation there is one other very important force that acts upon the passenger and can only be seen from a head on view. This force is weight, the force that gravity has on the person. The weight is always perpendicular to the ground and it never changes magnitude.
by Katie F.
