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

[itsmarasilly]

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

 

[alphysicist]

Hi itsmarasilly,

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?

 

[itsmarasilly]

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

 

[alphysicist]

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 F_net,x=m a_x. What forces are to the center of the circle? You already have the mass and acceleration. What do you get?

 

[itsmarasilly]

fnet = m*a, so
fnet = 610 * 11.58
fnet = 7063.8 ?

 

[alphysicist]

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?

 

[Dysprositos]

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