Circular motion question about a car banked

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem related to circular motion, specifically focusing on a banked curve for a car. The original poster seeks to determine the coefficient of static friction required to prevent skidding when a car travels at a higher speed than the speed for which the curve is banked.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the calculation of the banking angle and its implications for friction. There is a focus on understanding the contributions of both horizontal and vertical components of friction in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the calculations involved, noting discrepancies in the static friction coefficient derived from different approaches. The original poster expresses gratitude for the clarification regarding the vertical component of friction, indicating a productive exchange of ideas.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of specific values, such as the radius of the curve and speeds involved, which are central to the problem. The discussion also highlights the importance of correctly accounting for all forces acting on the car in the banked curve scenario.

F|234K
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if a curve with a radius of 60 meter is properly banked for a car traveling at 60km/h, what must be the coefficient of static friction for a car not to skid when traveling at 90km/h?

i know that in order to solve the question, one needs to find the angle first, and i found the angle to be 25.3 degrees(not sure to be correct)...

and the answer is 0.39...i just can't seem to get the answer...

thanks in advance
 
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F|234K said:
i know that in order to solve the question, one needs to find the angle first, and i found the angle to be 25.3 degrees(not sure to be correct)...
That's correct.

and the answer is 0.39...i just can't seem to get the answer...
Since you didn't show any work, there is no way to tell where you got stuck. The basic idea is exactly the same as in the no friction case: the only difference is the addition of the friction force on the car ([itex]\mu N[/itex] acting down the incline).
 
F|234K said:
if a curve with a radius of 60 meter is properly banked for a car traveling at 60km/h, what must be the coefficient of static friction for a car not to skid when traveling at 90km/h?

i know that in order to solve the question, one needs to find the angle first, and i found the angle to be 25.3 degrees(not sure to be correct)...

and the answer is 0.39...i just can't seem to get the answer...
Your calculated road banking angle of 25.3 deg relative to horizontal is correct (also indicated by the previous msg).

The required static friction coefficient for 90 km/h along the same banked road is calculated to be 0.39 in agreement with the provided answer (but apparently not in line with your calculations).

You may not be obtaining the same answer because you're calculating a static friction coefficient in the range 0.59 - 0.65. This is caused by using results from the decoupled equations for frictional force wherein friction is considered to contribute ONLY a horizontal component to the system (i.e., the component directly adding to the centripetal force). However, friction also has a vertical component which must be accounted for when solving the simultaneous equations for the system.

A typical formulation based on the friction horizontal component only is:

[tex]:(1): \ \ \ \ \frac {v^2} {rg} = Tan(\theta) + \mu_s Cos(\theta)[/tex]

The above equation yields a static friction coefficient of 0.65 for this case. The formulation based on fully coupled horizontal and vertical components is:

[tex]:(2): \ \ \ \ \frac {v^2} {rg} = \frac {Sin(\theta) + \mu_s Cos(\theta)} {Cos(\theta) - \mu_s Sin(\theta) }[/tex]

This latter formulation yields 0.39 for Coefficient of Static Friction.

The complete system of equations for horizontal and vertical components is given below:

[tex]:(3): \ \ \ \ \frac{mv^2} {r} = N Sin(\theta) + \mu_s N Cos(\theta)[/tex]

[tex]:(4): \ \ \ \ 0 = N Cos(\theta) - \mu_s N Sin(\theta) - mg[/tex]

where N is the force Normal to the road surface, (theta) the bank angle, and the other variables defined per usual conventions.


~~
 
Last edited:
thank you guys very much

"You're may not be obtaining the same answer because you're calculating a static friction coefficient in the range 0.59 - 0.65. This is caused by using results from the decoupled equations for frictional force wherein friction is considered to contribute ONLY a horizontal component to the system (i.e., the component directly adding to the centripetal force). However, friction also has a vertical component which must be accounted for when solving the simultaneous equations for the system."

and yes, i got my answer to be 0.59, thank you xanthym for your detailed and consummate reply which enlightens me on the vertical component of friction. (i only calculated the horizontal part of friction.)
 

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