Banked curve, car, friction problem

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on calculating the maximum velocity of a car on a banked curve, given specific parameters: a radius of 56.4 meters, a car mass of 2.3 kg, a banking angle of 34º, and a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.41. The user initially calculated a maximum velocity of 82.08 km/hr, which was deemed unrealistic for a car of such a low mass. A response highlighted that the mass should likely be 2,300 kg, leading to a more plausible velocity of 22.28 m/s (approximately 80.21 km/hr). This adjustment aligns the calculations with realistic automotive physics.

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  • Understanding of centripetal force and its formula: Fc = mv²/r
  • Knowledge of forces acting on a banked curve, including normal force and friction
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions (sine and cosine) in physics
  • Basic understanding of units conversion (m/s to km/hr)
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groundknifer
Hi, I've been working on this problem for a while and i keep on getting same answer! Can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong.

PROBLEM:
A circular curve is banked so that a car traveling with uniform speed rouding the curve usualy relys on friction to keep it from slipping to its left or right.
What is the maximum velocity the car can maintain in order that the car does not move up the plane. (Answer in KM/HR).

radius = 56.4m
mass_of_car = 2.3kg
angle = 34º
coefficient of kinetic friction = 0.41


MY WORK:
N=(cos34)(mg)=18.68
Fp=(sin34)(mg)=12.6
Fr=(N)(0.41)=7.66
Fc=centripital force=mv^2/r

so here's my final equation to get v:
(m)(v^2)/(r) - Fr = Fp
(2.3)(v^2)/56.4 - 7.66 = 12.6
v = 22.28m/s = 82.08 km/hr

82.08km/hr is soo unrealistic for 2.8kg car to bank such a turn.
heck, even my puny vw golf can't even do it at 82.08km/hr

i must be doing something wrong!

help please.
thanks
 
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RESPONSE:
Hi there, it looks like you have set up your equations correctly and your calculations are correct. However, I believe the issue here is with the given values for the problem. The mass of the car is listed as 2.3kg, which is extremely light and unrealistic for a car. This may be why your final velocity seems too high. It is possible that the mass of the car was meant to be 2,300kg instead of 2.3kg. If you use this value, your final velocity should be around 22.28m/s, which is a more realistic speed for a car to maintain on a banked curve. I hope this helps!
 

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