Symbolic Centripetal Force Problem on WebAssign

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a car accelerating on a flat circular track and the calculation of the coefficient of static friction. The proposed solution for the coefficient is πa/g, based on previous problem-solving methods. However, the user encounters issues with WebAssign marking the symbolic answer as incorrect, despite it being consistent with a similar non-symbolic problem. There is a consensus that the problem may lie with WebAssign's grading system rather than the solution itself. The conversation highlights the challenges faced when dealing with symbolic versus numerical problem-solving in educational platforms.
darthfodder
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Homework Statement



A car traveling on a flat (unbanked), circular track accelerates uniformly from rest with a tangential acceleration of a. The car makes it one quarter of the way around the circle before it skids off the track. From these data, determine the coefficient of static friction between the car and the track. (Use any variable or symbol stated above along with the following as necessary: g for the acceleration of gravity.)

3. An attempt at a solution.

I believe the answer is \frac{\pi * a}{g}. If you need, I can post how I got there. Using the same way I got there worked on the non-symbolic problem that is otherwise the same before it. But WebAssign is telling me the symbolic one is wrong. So either I got lucky on the non-symbolic problem, or WebAssign is being very picky. Just trying to figure out which it is.
 
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I agree with your answer, so I'd lean towards some issue with WebAssign.
 

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