Maximum Velocity for a Banked Curve Without Sliding or Rolling Over

AI Thread Summary
To determine the maximum velocity for a car on a banked curve with a 15º angle, the equation V = sqrt((tan(θ) + coefficient of friction) / (1 - coefficient of friction * tan(θ)) * r * g) is suggested. The discussion highlights the importance of considering the center of mass to prevent rolling over and clarifies that the width of the car is 2m, while the height from the bank to the center is 0.5m. Participants express confusion about the need for mass in calculations, noting that it cancels out in the equations. The centripetal acceleration must also be factored into the velocity equation, leading to further inquiries about its integration. Overall, the conversation centers on solving the problem while addressing the complexities of the physics involved.
sricho
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Determine the maximum velocity at which a car can travel if the banking angle is 15º for the following conditions
1) It is not to slide radially outwards.

2) It is not to roll over.

given:
coefficient of friction as 0.4
r = 60m
width of car is 2m and height from bank to centre of car is 0.5m

Homework Equations



Looking at some work i think the equation that i need to use is
V = square root (( tan feta + coefficent of friction/ 1-coefficent of friction tan feta) x r x g)

The Attempt at a Solution


my attempt at this solution gave me an answer of 22.9m/s so 23m/s
i wanted to check if this was correct and I am confused on why i have been given the length of the car and its distance from bank to centre of car.
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi sricho! Welcome to PF! :smile:
sricho said:
Determine the maximum velocity at which a car can travel if the banking angle is 15º for the following conditions

2) It is not to roll over.

given:
coefficient of friction as 0.4
r = 60m
length of car is 2m and height from bank to centre of car is 0.5m

im confused on why i have been given the length of the car and its distance from bank to centre of car.

because it will roll over if the net torque about the inside wheel is towards the centre …

for that, you need to know where the centre of mass is :wink:

hmm … are you sure 2m isn't the width of the car? :confused:
 
yes sorry that is the width of the car. so i need to work out the centre of mass. rite that makes sense with the given lenghs.
was the equation for the velocity correct?
pretty new to this so any help would be ausome
thanks
 
Hi sricho! :smile:

Sorry, I missed your reply. :redface:
sricho said:
… was the equation for the velocity correct?
sricho said:
Looking at some work i think the equation that i need to use is
V = square root (( tan feta + coefficent of friction/ 1-coefficent of friction tan feta) x r x g)

(have a theta: θ and a mu: µ :wink:)

Difficult to tell, since you haven't shown how you got it …

and do remember, the normal force won't be the usual mgcosθ, because of the centripetal acceleration :wink:
 
well i got my answer by using the equation for velocity and subsituting the values i have.
so
sqr(tan15 degree + 0.4 / 1 - 0.4 tan 15 degrees) x 60 x 9.8

but this doesn't use the normall reaction force and i don't think this answers the question
 
Ncos θ - µNsin θ = mg
N(cos θ - µsinθ) = mg
N = mg / cos θ - µsinθ

This is the equation i have for the normall reactiong force but you need the mass of the object where its not given.
so I am stuck?
 
No, you don't need to know the mass: it always cancels.

And your equations haven't taken the centripetal acceleration into account.
 
sorry had a busy weekend
so how do i use that acceleration in the equation i have.
and what is the equation for the acceleration?
thanks
sam
 
is this the equation i need ?
Ac = - w^2 r
Ac = - v^2 / r

where w is omega

how do i add this into the velocity equation?
 
  • #10
sricho said:
… what is the equation for the acceleration?

you should be able to look that up :frown:

centripetal acceleration is v2/r (= ω2r)​
 
  • #11
well I am just all confused now, is there any chance you could show me how its done , i would be very happy if you could. it will help loads with the other questions i have to do.
 
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