rokhsar@lasspvax.UUCP (Dan Rokhsar) (08/31/84)
The string holding the fuzzy dice has to provide the inward pointing force to keep the dice moving in a circle, otherwise they would travel in a straight line and leave the car quickly. The string must also provide enough force to keep the dice from falling, that is it must give an upward force counteracting gravity. The dice are suspended away from the center of the curve so that the string _____________________________ can provide the inward force /| force inward = string tension x sine of angle / | with vertical force upward = string tension x cosine of angle / | so the string tension = upward force /cosine / | = g x mass / cosine [] the centripetal force needed = mass x velocity **2 / radius so the angle that the string makes with vertical can be solved for. Dan Rokhsar