Serway & Jewett — Circular Motion and Other Applications of Newton's Laws: Problem 7

You are working during your summer break as an amusement park ride operator. The ride you are controlling consists of a large vertical cylinder that spins about its axis fast enough that any person inside is held up against the wall when the floor drops away (Fig. P6.7). The coefficient of static friction between a person of mass \(m\) and the wall is \(\mu_s\), and the radius of the cylinder is \(R\). You are rotating the ride with an angular speed \(\omega\) suggested by your supervisor. (a) Suppose a very heavy person enters the ride. Do you need to increase the angular speed so that this person will not slide down the wall? (b) Suppose someone enters the ride wearing a very slippery satin workout outfit. In this case, do you need to increase the angular speed so that this person will not slide down the wall?