Missing the point Tangential acceleration

[Saladsamurai]

EDIT: Tangential acceleration

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?

 

[Saladsamurai]

Any ideas would help. Or even a question to get my brain going.

 

[Saladsamurai]

18 views ehh... Is this question too easy or something? 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...

 

[lalbatros]

what is the meaning of this:

"... what is the ratio of the tangential accelerations A to B ..." ?

that's why you get no answer

 

[Saladsamurai]

I am sorry. In the OP it says two arcs of radius A 80m and B 40m. . . Hence, the problem 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). I knew there must have been something about my wording. Does that make it clearer? Also it is multiple choice. 1/2...1/4...2...4...or both equal 0.

 

[turdferguson]

Does tangential acceleration depend on radius? Proportional or inversely proportional?

 

[Saladsamurai]

Does tangential acceleration depend on radius? Proportional or inversely proportional?

A_t=r*alpha

 

[lalbatros]

If the radius od curvature changes, the acceleration perpendicular to the trajectory will change.
But if the kinetic energy is conserved, the speed along the trajectory will not change and therefore, the tangential acceleration will be ...