Calculating max speed at a turn with downforce

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the maximum speed of a slot car navigating an unbanked turn while considering downforce from both a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. The slot car has a top speed of 5 m/s, weighs 200 grams, and operates on a surface with a coefficient of friction of 0.65. The turn radius is 0.33 m, and the maximum speed without additional forces is calculated to be approximately 1.45 m/s. The impact of tangential forces generated by the permanent magnet and the braking force from the electromagnet are also discussed.

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  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly forces and motion.
  • Knowledge of slot car mechanics and dynamics.
  • Familiarity with the concepts of downforce and friction coefficients.
  • Experience with calculations involving mass, velocity, and radius in circular motion.
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  • Research the effects of downforce on slot car performance using tools like computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
  • Learn about the mechanics of electromagnets and their applications in slot car racing.
  • Explore advanced friction models and their implications on racing dynamics.
  • Investigate the impact of weight distribution on slot car handling and speed through practical experiments.
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Slot car enthusiasts, engineers interested in racing dynamics, and hobbyists looking to optimize slot car performance through physics principles.

anru
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Hi guys..

I want to find out how to find the maximum speed of a slotcar at a unbanked turn with a permanent magnet which have a downforce of 200 grams and a electromagnet which can brake in the interval 0-560grams.

My slotcars topspeed is 5m/s and the wheight is 200grams.
The coefficient of friction of the slotcar on a unbanked raceroad is 0,65.
The radius of the turn is 0,33m.

There are 3 types of turns 45,90 and 180 degree turns.

I have calculated that if the slotcar didn't have the electromagnet or the permanent one, it had a maximum speed of 1,45134m/s

Can someone help me?
 
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Permanent magnet is likely to generate tangential force in addition to downforce. And I'm not sure what you mean by saying that electromagnet can brake. Which direction does it apply force in?

Without any tangential forces involved, (mv²/R)/(mg+Fd)=μ. If you are doing forces in grams, then take g=1. μ is your friction coefficient, R is the turn radius, m is the car's weight, and Fd is the sum of all downforces. The length of the turn doesn't make a difference. Rear wheels can begin to slide at much slower speeds, depending on where the magnet is located and how the weight is distributed.
 
Hi. Thanks for the reply. The magnetic downforce is a downgoing force (hoslotracer.com/content/magnetic-down-force-measurements)
 

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