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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a car driving around a race track with two arcs of different radii, asking for the ratio of tangential accelerations at these arcs while maintaining a constant speed.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between linear and angular acceleration, questioning the implications of constant speed on tangential acceleration.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights regarding the tangential component of acceleration, noting that if speed is constant, the tangential acceleration may be zero. Others are exploring the implications of this on the problem's requirements.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on understanding the definitions and relationships between linear and angular quantities, particularly in the context of constant speed and its effect on acceleration components.

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Homework Statement


If a car drives around a race track constructed such that two arcs of radius A=80m and Radius B=40m are joined by two stretches of straight track at a constant speed of 50 m/s, what is the ratio of the tangential accelerations A to B...Meaning asking for the ratio of the Tangential Acceleration around arc of radius A (80m) to that of the Tangential Acceleration around arc of radius B (40m). Also it is multiple choice. a.)1/2...b.)1/4...c.)2...d.)4...or e.)both equal 0.



Homework Equations






The Attempt at a Solution





I know this is much easier than I am making it. I know that A_t=r*alpha...but I do not have alpha and I am a little confused to how to calculate it? Just a hint to get me going?
 
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I know that if linear acceleration is the change in linear velocity, then there is no change in this instance. Therefore a=0--->alpha 0...is this correct? Because alpha=a/r.
 
If you are just looking at the tangential component of the total acceleration, then I would say you are right.
 
Yes. It is just the Tangential component. So that does look right.
 

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