A car moving at a steady 10 m/s on a level highway encounters a bump that has a circular cross-section with a radius of 30 m. The car maintains its speed over the bump. What is the normal
Force exerted by the seat of the car on a 60.0-kg passenger when the car is at the top of the bump?
A) 590 N
B) 200 N
C) 390 N
D) 790 N
E) 490 N

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At the top of the bump, the normal force is reduced due to the centripetal force requirement. The gravitational force is 60 kg * 9.8 m/s² = 588 N. The centripetal force needed is (60 kg * (10 m/s)²) / 30 m = 200 N. The normal force is the gravitational force minus the centripetal force: 588 N - 200 N = 388 N, which is approximately 390 N.

A Car Moving at a Steady 10 M/s on a Level