Question

The Cajun Cliffhanger used to be a ride at Great America where you would stand with your back to the inside wall of a vertical cylinder. As the cylinder turned faster and faster, eventually the floor beneath you would be lowered leaving you "plastered" to the wall. The ride had a radius of 2.5 m and a period of revolution of 2.0 seconds. Determine the minimum coefficient of friction needed to keep passengers from sliding down the wall when the floor is dropped away.

please helppp

Answer 1

μ F = W where μ F is the frictional force required to support weight W

F = m v^2 / R frictional force due to rotation of cylinder

μ m v^2 / R = W = m g

μ = g R / v^2 coefficient of friction required

v = S / P = (2 π R) / P speed of passenger

v^2 = 4 π^2 R^2 / P^2

μ = g P^2 / (4 π^2 R) (this should be dimensionless)

μ = 9.80 * 2^2 / (4 ^ 3.14^2 * 2.5) = .397