Calculating Lateral Acceleration: Factors Affecting Performance"

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The discussion revolves around calculating lateral acceleration in the context of automobile cornering performance on a skid pad. The original poster presents a scenario involving a Dodge Viper GTS and seeks to determine its maximum lateral acceleration based on given parameters, including speed and radius of the skid pad. Additionally, a related problem involving an object rotating in a horizontal circle is introduced, focusing on the tension in strings attached to the object.

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Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the calculation of lateral acceleration using centripetal acceleration equations, with some expressing uncertainty about their results. There is a mention of unit conversion as a factor in solving the problem. The introduction of a second problem raises questions about the setup and the application of relevant equations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made progress in solving the first problem, while others are still grappling with the second problem involving the tensions in the strings. There is an acknowledgment of the need for clarity regarding the setup of the second problem, indicating that further information is necessary for a more definitive discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the attachment points of the strings in the second problem, as this affects the analysis. There is also a reference to potential confusion caused by unit conversions in the calculations.

ramin86
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The cornering performance of an automobile is evaluated on a skid pad, where the maximum speed that a car can maintain around a circular path on a dry, flat surface is measured. Then the centripetal acceleration, also called the lateral acceleration, is calculated as a multiple of the free-fall acceleration g. The main factors affecting the performance are the tire characteristics and the suspension system of the car. A Dodge Viper GTS can negotiate a skidpad of radius 62.2 m at 86.5 km/h. Calculate its maximum lateral acceleration.

How do I find lateral acceleration??
 
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anyone know?
 
I tried using the equation for centripetal acceleration but the answer was not correct.
 
ramin86 said:
I tried using the equation for centripetal acceleration but the answer was not correct.

Let's see your calculations first before entirely discarding centripetal acceleration
 
nevermind, i got the answer by converting km/h to m/h. But there's one question that is really stumping me right now:

3. [PSE6 6.P.011.] A 3.85 kg object is attached to a vertical rod by two strings as in Figure P6.11. The object rotates in a horizontal circle at constant speed 7.30 m/s.

Figure P6.11

(a) Find the tension in the upper string.
N
(b) Find the tension in the lower string.
N

Not sure just what to do for this one, I tried a few equations given in examples by pluging in numbers, but didn't work.
 
ramin86 said:
nevermind, i got the answer by converting km/h to m/h. But there's one question that is really stumping me right now:

3. [PSE6 6.P.011.] A 3.85 kg object is attached to a vertical rod by two strings as in Figure P6.11. The object rotates in a horizontal circle at constant speed 7.30 m/s.

Figure P6.11

(a) Find the tension in the upper string.
N
(b) Find the tension in the lower string.
N

Not sure just what to do for this one, I tried a few equations given in examples by pluging in numbers, but didn't work.

I figured the units conversion was messing you up. Where are the strings attached to the rod? We can't give a definitive solution otherwise. Are they attached at the top and bottom so it swings in a path that's in the center of where the two strings are attached?
 

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