Question

If you could make the skateboarder go around a loop. What would you need to change in order for them to make it all the way around?

Question 5 options:

Increases mass and decrease friction


increase mass and increase friction


decrease mass and decrease friction


decrease mass and increase friction

Answer 1

To make the skateboarder go around a loop successfully, the key factors to consider are the gravitational force acting on the skateboarder and the centripetal force required to keep them in circular motion.

One effective approach is to **decrease mass and decrease friction**. Here's why:

1. **Decreasing Mass**: A lighter skateboarder requires less centripetal force to maintain circular motion at the top of the loop. This reduces the gravitational force they need to overcome to stay on track.

2. **Decreasing Friction**: Lower friction allows for smoother motion, enabling the skateboarder to maintain higher speeds as they enter and ascend the loop. This is essential for achieving the speed necessary to complete the loop without falling.

Thus, the most suitable change to enable the skateboarder to successfully go around the loop would be: **decrease mass and decrease friction**.