TGV Train Circular Motion Calculations

[shell4987]

Homework Statement

The fast French train known as the TGV (Train Grande Vitesse) has a scheduled average speed of 216 km/h. (a) If the train goes around a curve at that speed and the magnitude of the acceleration experienced by the passengers is to be limited to 0.050g, what is the smallest radius of curvature for the track that can be tolerated? (in km) (b) At what speed must the train go around a curve with a 1.03 km radius to be at the acceleration limit? (in km/h)

Homework Equations

a=v squared/r

The Attempt at a Solution

I tried this problem and for part (a) i got 72 km which didn't turn out to be right, i used the acceleration formula and converted the units to m/s then reconverted them back to km/hr for acceleration, i had it equal to 0.050 m/s squared and for velocirty i had 60 m/s...

for part (b) i used 0.050 m/s squared as the acceleration again and then 1030m as the radius and solved, then converted it back to km/hr and got the answer to be 25.92km/hr

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, can anyone help me out? thanks.

 

[Doc Al]

0.05g means 0.05*(9.8 m/s^2).

 

[m2003]

Your approach to solving the problem is correct, however, there may have been a mistake in your calculations. It is important to check your units and make sure they are consistent throughout the problem. For part (a), the correct answer is 72 km, so it seems that your calculations were correct but there may have been a conversion error. For part (b), the correct answer is 164 km/h, so it appears that there was a mistake in your calculations. I would recommend double-checking your work and making sure all units are consistent. Also, make sure to use the correct value for acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2). Keep practicing and you will get the hang of it!