How do you calculate circular acceleration and force for a racing car?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the circular acceleration of a 610-kg racing car completing a lap in 14.3 seconds on a 60.0 m radius track, the velocity is first determined using the formula v = 2*Pi*Radius / Time, resulting in approximately 26.36 m/s. The acceleration is then calculated as a = velocity^2 / Radius, yielding an acceleration of 11.58 m/s². To find the force exerted by the track on the tires, the net force is calculated using F = m*a, resulting in approximately 7063.8 Newtons. It is clarified that only the horizontal force is needed for this calculation, as vertical forces are not relevant in this context. The final answer for the force required from the track is confirmed as 7063.8 Newtons.
itsmarasilly
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Homework Statement



A 610-kg racing car completes one lap in 14.3 s around a circular track with a radius of 60.0 m. The car moves at constant speed.

(a) What is the acceleration of the car?
(b) What force (Newtons) must the track exert on the tires to produce this acceleration?

Homework Equations


v = 2*Pi*Radius / Time
a = velocity^2 / Radius
T = 2(Pi)R / Velocity


The Attempt at a Solution


(2)(Pi)(60.0)/(14.3)=26.36
695.01^2 = 695.01 / 60 = Acceleration = 11.58
 
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Hi itsmarasilly,

itsmarasilly said:

Homework Statement



A 610-kg racing car completes one lap in 14.3 s around a circular track with a radius of 60.0 m. The car moves at constant speed.

(a) What is the acceleration of the car?
(b) What force (Newtons) must the track exert on the tires to produce this acceleration?

Homework Equations


v = 2*Pi*Radius / Time
a = velocity^2 / Radius
T = 2(Pi)R / Velocity


The Attempt at a Solution


(2)(Pi)(60.0)/(14.3)=26.36
695.01^2 = 695.01 / 60 = Acceleration = 11.58

That looks right to me. Did you get part b?
 
i think Newtons are basically Kg m/s^2, if so, how do i figure that out from the information given? thanks a lot for your help
 
itsmarasilly said:
i think Newtons are basically Kg m/s^2, if so, how do i figure that out from the information given? thanks a lot for your help


Pick a certain point on the circle, and let the x direction be towards the center of the circle. Apply the equation Fnet,x=m ax. What forces are to the center of the circle? You already have the mass and accleration. What do you get?
 
fnet = m*a, so
fnet = 610 * 11.58
fnet = 7063.8 ?
 
itsmarasilly said:
fnet = m*a, so
fnet = 610 * 11.58
fnet = 7063.8 ?

That looks right for the horizontal direction.

I was rereading my earlier post and I think it could possibly mislead you, so let me add this: They are asking for the total force from the track, and the track puts a horizontal and vertical force on the car. So you'll need to find both of those components to find the total force from the track. What do you get?
 
No that is the final answer. We are not figuring with vertical force. All that is needed is to take the acceleration multiplied by the mass in kg. F=ma
 
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