Circular motion: could this happen?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a scenario involving a car traveling on a curved path, initially at a speed of 75 mi/hr, and coming to a stop after traveling 350 ft along the curve with a radius of 650 ft. Participants are exploring whether this situation is physically feasible based on the principles of circular motion and friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are examining the relationship between speed, radius, and the forces acting on the car, including friction and gravitational forces. Questions arise regarding the setup of the problem, the necessity of converting units, and the role of banking in the curve. There is also a focus on determining the coefficient of friction and the maximum permissible deceleration required for the car to stop within the given distance.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the forces involved and questioning the initial setup of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of friction and centripetal force equations, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of mass in the problem, which complicates the calculations related to forces. There is also mention of the potential need to convert units for consistency, although this is not deemed strictly necessary.

jryan422
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circular motion: could this happen?!?

1. Problem, given data

I have a car traveling a curve initially at 75 mi/hr. It comes to rest before it travels 350 ft along the curve. The radius of the curve is 650 ft.

I am asked if this situation is possible.

2. Equations

a = v^2/R


3. Attempt at a solution

a = v^2/R
v^2 = (a)(R)
= [(75mi/hr - 0mi/hr)(1m/s//2.24mi/hr)] [650ft(1 m / 3.28ft)]
when I find V, it's not the right answer.

This is not the correct answer. Am I setting this up correctly? Am i supposed to use s=r(angle) to determine the angle and transform this into a banking problem?
 
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[(75mi/hr - 0mi/hr)(1m/s//2.24mi/hr)] [650ft(1 m / 3.28ft)]
is not correct since one is multiplying velocity (of the difference) by distance.

It does not appear that banking is to part of the problem.

Use the initial conditions to determine the coefficient of friction for the tires. The car has to stay on the curve at maximum centrifugal force which much equal the friction force. Both are proportional to the mass of the car.

Then use that to determine the maximum permissible deceleration.

Can the car decelerate from 75 mph to 0 in 350 ft? What is the necessary deceleration?

It is not necessary to convert to metric, but if one does, it's best to convert all the known values first rather than in the equation.
 
Last edited:
wait I am sorry, but i still get a wrong answer.

the normal force is equal to the gravitational force. the force of static friction is equal to the force of drag. I can only find the normal force, which is just (9.8N/kg)M (mass is not given). what forces are responsible for the inward acceleration to the center of the circle? the Force of static friction is related to the normal force, but it's impossible to determine the coefficient of SF.
 
In order for the car to stay on the curve the friction supplies the centripetal force which must equal the centrifugal force, i.e.

\mumg = mv2/r, but since m is the same, this simply becomes

\mug = v2/r, or

\mu = v2/gr and if this is greater than 1 the car can't possibly stay on the curve.

75 mph = 110 ft/s and g = 32.2 ft/s2 and r = 650 ft.
 

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