Banked Curves angle theta on highway

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving banked and unbanked curves on a highway. The original poster presents a scenario where a car can travel at a maximum speed on both types of curves, with the banked curve being frictionless. The goal is to determine the angle of the banked curve based on the given coefficient of static friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to find the velocity to determine the angle theta. There are attempts to relate the radius of the curves to the maximum speed and the coefficient of friction. Some express confusion about the lack of specific values and the implications of the frictionless condition on the banked curve.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some have suggested drawing force diagrams and developing equations relating radius and velocity, while others express frustration and uncertainty about the connections between the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem does not provide specific values for the radius or velocity, which complicates the analysis. There is also a mention of the frictionless nature of the banked curve, raising questions about how this affects the calculations.

pstfleur
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1. Two curves on a highway have the same radii. However, one is unbanked and the other is banked at an angle theta. A car can safely travel along the unbanked curve at a maximum speed Vo under conditions when the coefficient of static friction between the ties and the road is ms=0.81. The banked curve is frictionless, and the car can negotiate it at the same maximum speed Vo. Find the angle theta of the banked curve.



2. Tan theta= v^2/rg, v=2pie(r)/T



3. Ok I am lost again.. The problem looks like french to me. I know that I need to find the velocity first in order to get my angle, but it doesn't give me any values other than the coefficient of static friction..PLease help me go in the right direction
 
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pstfleur said:
1. Two curves on a highway have the same radii. However, one is unbanked and the other is banked at an angle theta. A car can safely travel along the unbanked curve at a maximum speed Vo under conditions when the coefficient of static friction between the ties and the road is ms=0.81. The banked curve is frictionless, and the car can negotiate it at the same maximum speed Vo. Find the angle theta of the banked curve.

2. Tan theta= v^2/rg, v=2pie(r)/T

3. Ok I am lost again.. The problem looks like french to me. I know that I need to find the velocity first in order to get my angle, but it doesn't give me any values other than the coefficient of static friction..PLease help me go in the right direction

The first part tells you what the Radius is.

Then you use the radius to determine the angle of the second curve.
 
LowlyPion said:
The first part tells you what the Radius is.

Then you use the radius to determine the angle of the second curve.


Where? a radius of what? 1?
 
pstfleur said:
Where? a radius of what? 1?

No. Draw a force diagram. There are two forces acting on the car on level ground. There is the Frictional force and there is the Centripetal force. You know what the coefficient of friction is, so what is radius in terms of Vo?
 
LowlyPion said:
No. Draw a force diagram. There are two forces acting on the car on level ground. There is the Frictional force and there is the Centripetal force. You know what the coefficient of friction is, so what is radius in terms of Vo?


But its says the banked curve is frictionless?? i still don't see the correlation for Vo
 
bump.. I still need help on this problem:confused:
 
pstfleur said:
But its says the banked curve is frictionless?? i still don't see the correlation for Vo

Did you develop an equation for the Radius in terms of Vo on the flat surface?

Because if you had you would then be able to use that in the expression that accounts for the frictionless incline.

You've already related that equation even.
 
LowlyPion said:
Did you develop an equation for the Radius in terms of Vo on the flat surface?

Because if you had you would then be able to use that in the expression that accounts for the frictionless incline.

You've already related that equation even.


:confused: I think I'll just give up on this problem. I am getting lost
 
pstfleur said:
:confused: I think I'll just give up on this problem. I am getting lost

OK. But the answer isn't that far away.

The unbanked curve tells you the relationship between the radius and the velocity in question.

The banked curve tells you the angle when you substitute for the Velocity.
 

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