Centripetal Force Homework: Minibus, Mass 1.6 Tonnes, 25m Radius, 72km/h Speed

[raphile]

Homework Statement

A minibus of mass 1.6 tonnes is rounding a flat bend of constant radius 25m at a steady speed of 72km/h. Find the centripetal force acting on the vehicle. What is the minimum co-efficient of sideways friction between the tyres and the road for this motion to take place without skidding?

The Attempt at a Solution

I thought I knew how to do this. Using mv^2/r, I got the centripetal force to be 25,600N (changing the speed into from km/h to m/s). Then, for the co-efficient of friction (denote as u), I used uR = u(mg) = mv^2/r and got, by taking g=9.81, an answer of u=1.631.

But I thought co-efficients of friction were supposed to be less than 1. An answer of 1.631 seems a bit high. Is it right?

 

[konthelion]

Your answers are correct. $$\mu_$$ is not always <1. Since $$\mu>1$$, what do you think is happening?