About Tier 4 - Tensor
A layered challenge requiring substantial reasoning or technical control.
Difficulty describes the challenge, not the solver. It is a Society guide rather than a formal academic level.
The tier is a Society guide to the amount of reasoning, technical work and insight a problem is expected to require. Your experience may vary depending on the topic and your background.
Staying on the Loop
Mechanics / Circular Motion and Energy - 10-15 min
A small object slides without friction or rotation along the inside of a vertical circular track of radius . Treat it as a point particle. The track can push inward but cannot pull the object towards itself, and there is no retaining rail. Use and neglect air resistance.
What is the minimum speed at the bottom of the loop that allows the object to just maintain contact at the top?
Assumptions
Treat the object as a point particle that slides without rotation on the inside of a rigid circular track. The track can push but cannot pull or mechanically restrain the particle. Neglect air resistance and friction; gravity is uniform.
More Options for Staying on the Loop
Collection question · Revision 1 · ID: vertical-loop-contact