Uniform cicrcular motion problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem related to uniform circular motion, specifically involving a train's speed and the radius of curvature of a track. The original poster is seeking assistance with calculations involving centripetal acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the formula for centripetal acceleration but expresses difficulty in their calculations. Participants suggest reviewing the conversion of acceleration and the application of the formula.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaging in clarifying the original poster's approach and encouraging them to share their workings for further assistance. There is a focus on ensuring the correct application of the centripetal acceleration formula.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has converted speed to m/s and is working under the constraint of a specified acceleration limit. There is an emphasis on the need to multiply the given acceleration factor by gravitational acceleration to find the centripetal acceleration.

mikejones2000
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Uniform cicrcular motion problem...please help..

I am currently having an incredibly difficult time on the following homework problem dealing with circular motion. The problem is as follows:

The fast French train known as the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) has a scheduled average speed of 216 km/h.

(a) If the train goes around a curve at that speed and the acceleration experienced by the passengers is to be limited to 0.045g, what is the smallest radius of curvature for the track that can be tolerated?
(b) At what speed must the train go around a curve with a 1.70 km radius to be at the acceleration limit?

I converted the speed to m/s and tried using a=vsq./r, but keep screwing up, any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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Hi mike, welcome to PF.

I can't see a problem here, perhaps if you show your working we can point out what you are doing wrong. Remember to multiply 0.045 by 9.81 to obtain the centripetal acceleration.

~H
 
Centripetal Acceleration can also be written as v^2/r.
 
al_201314 said:
Centripetal Acceleration can also be written as v^2/r.

The OP knows this and stated it in his original post;

mikejones2000 said:
[...] and tried using a=vsq./r [..]

~H
 

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