Non uniform circular motion and friction

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving non-uniform circular motion and friction, specifically focusing on a car accelerating in a circular path with a maximum speed limited by friction. The original poster seeks assistance in drawing a free body diagram (FBD) and understanding the relationship between the angle and the forces involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the car, including centripetal force and components of friction. There are questions about how to relate these forces to the angle in the FBD. Some participants suggest finding the coefficient of static friction and calculating maximum linear acceleration, while others express concerns about the applicability of certain equations due to non-constant acceleration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations of the problem being explored. Some guidance has been offered regarding the FBD and the forces involved, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take or the correct application of equations.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the exact wording of the homework question and the assumptions about the car's acceleration and speed. Participants are also considering the implications of friction on the car's motion.

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A car is at rest in a circle of radius r. The car then accelerates, but friction limits the speed to some max speed v. At what angle is the max speed v reached? (calculus is involved).

The key is to draw a detailed FBD, which I need help with. So far the forces I have are: centripetal, component of friction pointing perpendicular to the radius, and another component of friction pointing towards the center of the circle.

Also, how to relate the angle to the FBD?

Thanks
 
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I didn't use calc for this, so I may be wrong...have you posted the question EXACTLY as it appears in your hw/text ?

Can you find the coefficient of static friction from the FBD ? (Hint : The centripetal force provides the centripetal acceleration.)

Next draw the FBD for a wheel of the car. What are the forces acting on it ? Can you thus calculate the maximum linear acceleration of the car ? Now use the relevant equation of motion to find the distance traveled. From this, you should be able to get the angle traversed.
 
I think you can't use V^2 = 2ax because the linear acceleration is not constant. It starts at p and then goes down to 0.

thanks
 
I believe it goes down to zero only after the car has reached a velocity v. I assumed that the maximum speed was set by that velocity at which there was sufficient friction to be able to take the curve at the given radius...and that further acceleration is prevented only by the driver not wanting to skid off the road.
 
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