- #1
superdave
- 150
- 3
Homework Statement
Car is driven on a banked circular racing track. Radius R, angle theta.
a) For what speed is the track designed (if there were no friction the car would not slide)
b) If the track is wet, u=0.15, what are the minimum and maximum speeds car must be driven so it stays on the track.
Homework Equations
a=v^2/R (centripetal)
a=sin (theta) * g
a_f=u*g*cos(theta) (for part b, friction)
The Attempt at a Solution
Okay, here's what I don't understand.
Centripetal force pulls the car towards the center. And gravity pulls the car down, again towards the center. So though I know they oppose each other, I can't figure out why they would oppose each other since it seems they don't.