A stunt pilot weighing 0.70 kN performs a vertical circular dive of radius 0.80 km. At the bottom of the dive, the pilot has a speed of 0.20 km/s which at that instant is not changing. What force does the plane exert on the pilot?
A) 3.6 kN up
B) 4.3 kN up
C) 2.9 kN down
D) 2.9 kN up
E) 5.8 kN down

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force exerted by the plane on the pilot is the sum of the gravitational force and the centripetal force required to keep the pilot moving in a circle. At the bottom of the dive, the centripetal force is directed upwards. Calculating the centripetal force using the formula $ F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r} $ and adding the gravitational force gives the total force exerted by the plane on the pilot as 4.3 kN upwards.

A Stunt Pilot Weighing 0