Question

If you're at the bottom of a roller coaster, what would you feel, being thrown up or being pushed down? Explain using Newton's law of motion.

Answer 1

Make a free body diagram will ya?

and you REALLY need to experience that :D :D.. its awesome..

Answer 2

i think being pushed down because the net force should have a direction towards the centre (direction of centripetal acceleration).
how to use Newton's second law in explaining this? I'm thinking about the 3rd law(action-reaction) and the first law.........but i'm not sure

and lol, i have motion sickness so i can't ride on those things x_x

Answer 3

So, while people will feel pushed down, you would throw up. Haha, I made a pun using the question! Anyway....

\(F=ma\) helps sum up Newtons second law, right?
So and upwards acceleration is an upwards force. The roller coaster cart is pushing you upwards to accelerate you. The first law says you have inertia, and it will take that force to change it. The third law says that if the cart is pushing up on us, we are pushing down on the cart.

Since we're not actively pushing, it feels like we are being pushed. That's why!

I'd say third law is most important to explaining our feeling, and second and first laws are most important to the cause of why we are feeling it.

Do you have any questions? I know you figure out things well, so I bet you understand at least most of it. But I'd be happy to answer any questions you have!

Answer 4

ye your free body diagram is right.. now develop the equation

Answer 5

oh wait you got it right :D

Answer 6

i didn't see your reply

since the net force on you.. or the acceleration that you feel is upwards, you feel a downward push!
(inertial push is always in opposite direction of acceleration)

Answer 7

@theEric lol with the joke, nice one XD

thanks to both of you AGAIN for the great explanation!

Answer 8

You're welcome :)

Answer 9

@theEric
OMG.. pushed down but throw up.. lolll!!!

Answer 10

for that pun alone u deserve the medal man :D

Answer 11

Haha, thanks... :)