Analysing a Circular Highway Curve: Angle, Friction & Speed

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on analyzing a circular highway curve with a radius of 200m, where a car traveling at 45km/h can navigate the curve on a frictionless surface. The angle of the banked curve is calculated to be 4.6 degrees. For a car traveling at 40km/h, the centripetal force is derived using the equation F_n sin(theta) = mv^2/r. The minimum coefficient of friction required to prevent skidding is determined to be 0.816, and for a curve radius of 300m, the speed required to negotiate the curve without skidding is calculated to be approximately 15.2 m/s.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of centripetal force and its calculation
  • Knowledge of banking angles in circular motion
  • Familiarity with friction coefficients and their implications in motion
  • Basic proficiency in physics equations related to motion and forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of centripetal force equations in circular motion
  • Learn about the effects of banking angles on vehicle dynamics
  • Explore friction coefficients and their role in preventing skidding
  • Investigate the impact of curve radius on vehicle speed requirements
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of vehicles on curved paths, particularly in relation to speed, friction, and banking angles.

chiurox
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Homework Statement


A circular highway curve with a radius of 200m is banked at an angle such that a car traveling 45km/h can just make it around the curve if the highway surface is frictionless.
a. what is the angle between the highway surface and the horizontal?
b. if a car travels at 40km/h around the curve, what is the centripetal force acting on the car?
c. What is the minimum value of the coefficient of friction between the tires and the highway surface necessary to prevent the car in (b) from skidding?
d. If the angle of the highway curve is as in (a), but the radius of the curve is increased to 300m, what is the speed a car must be going in order to negotiate a curve without skidding?

Homework Equations


tan(theta) = v^2/gr

The Attempt at a Solution


45km/h would be 12.5m/s
a. tan(theta) = (12.5m/s)^2 / 9.8*200
theta = 4.6degrees
b. I know that F_n sin(theta) = mv^2/r
but I'm confused how to solve this one.
c. I'll leave this blank since I haven't solved (b)
d. sqrt{tan(4.6)(9.8)(300)} = v = 15.4m/s correct?
 
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For part C, I have F_f = u_s F_n
v^2 = u_s gr
1600 = u_s(9.8)(200)
u_s = 0.816 right?

For part D, I have sqrt(tan(4.5)(9.8)(300)) = v = 15.2 m/s is that right?
 

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