normal force in a curved surface

[epsilonprodigy]

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As a marble in simple harmonic motion rolls along the bottom of a curved bowl, the normal force changes in relation to the angle between the marble's position and the normal.

Since sin theta increases as the angle increases, it would have to decrease according to cos theta, right?

As in, if Fn is when it's at it's equilibrium position (at the bottom and center, at max velocity) then Fn cos theta would have to be Fn when it is "theta" degrees away from the normal?

Thanks.

 

[Rabolisk]

Sounds right. At the bottom, normal force completely balances out weight. Away from the equilibrium point, the normal force can't, and the marble "falls"

 

[epsilonprodigy]

Cool, it was one of those questions that I got right but wasn't 100% sure that I got it for the right reason. 👍