A well of death

: Figure 1.12 illustrates the forces

acting on a motorcyclist in contact with the wall in a

well-of-death.

In a well-of-death, the forces exerted on the rider are

(Fig. 1.12)

(i) the normal force N exerted by the wall, directed

radially inward, is the centripetal force,

(iü) the upward frictional force f exerted by the wall,

since the motorcycle has a tendency to slide

down,

(iüi) the downward gravitational force mg.

N Me and f = nN = n (mlr ),

where m is the mass of the motorcyclist and the rider and v is the speed of the

motorcyclist. For the rider not to fall, f, must balance mg.

.. 4, (mor) = mg

which is the required expression.

Shalaa