Tangential Acceleration Along an Oddly Shaped Road

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves three cars traveling along a road with varying elevation, specifically focusing on their tangential accelerations when they suddenly brake. The context includes concepts from dynamics and friction, particularly in relation to curved paths and the forces acting on the cars.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the comparison of friction forces among the cars and how the normal force varies based on their positions on the road. There are attempts to apply Newton's laws to find the normal forces and tangential accelerations, with some questioning the role of vertical and horizontal forces.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the forces acting on the cars. Some have provided guidance on applying Newton's second law to determine the normal forces, while others express confusion about the relationship between the forces and the resulting accelerations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of specific values for mass and coefficients of friction, leading to discussions about solving the problem symbolically. There is also recognition that the vertical accelerations of the cars differ due to their positions on the curved track.

  • #31
You solve it symbollically.
 
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  • #32
But, you do know gravity, and when that quantity comes into effect, you use it.
 
  • #33
so is this one asking for a numerical or symbolic answer?
 
  • #34
JeYo said:
It tells me that the normal force - the force of gravity = m_car * a_y = 0, yes?
No. The vertical accelerations of cars B and C are not zero. Don't forget centripetal acceleration.

(If the vertical accelerations were zero, then it would make no difference whether the cars were going over a hill or a valley: all three would be the same. But it does make a difference.)
 

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