Friction, speed, and radius of a curve?

In summary, friction acts in the opposite direction of an object's motion and slows it down, resulting in a decrease in speed on a curve. The speed of an object plays a crucial role in determining the radius of a curve it can navigate, with higher speeds requiring a larger radius. The radius of a curve directly affects the amount of friction experienced by an object, with larger radii resulting in lower friction. The radius of a curve can be calculated using the formula r = (mv^2)/F, which takes into account the relationship between speed, mass, and friction. To reduce friction and increase the speed of an object, the surface of the curve can be made smoother, materials with lower coefficients of friction can be used, and the
  • #1
V.elizabeth.k
2
0

Homework Statement



Suppose the coefficient of static friction between the road and the tires on a car is 0.789 and the car has no negative lift. What speed will put the car on the verge of sliding as it rounds a level curve of 39.3 m radius?

Homework Equations



i know the equation for uniform circular motion is a=(v^2)/r
verge of sliding means f(s,max)=mu(s)*F(n)

The Attempt at a Solution



and seriously, I have no idea where to start.
 
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  • #2
Well shouldn't the frictional force provide the centripetal force required?
 

FAQ: Friction, speed, and radius of a curve?

How does friction affect the speed of an object on a curve?

Friction acts in the opposite direction of an object's motion and slows it down. When an object is moving on a curve, the force of friction increases because the object's velocity changes direction. This results in a decrease in speed on the curve.

How does the speed of an object affect the radius of a curve it can successfully navigate?

The speed of an object plays a crucial role in determining the radius of a curve it can navigate. The faster the object is moving, the larger the radius of the curve needs to be. This is because higher speed requires a larger centripetal force to keep the object moving in a curved path, which is provided by the curvature of the curve.

How does the radius of a curve affect the friction experienced by an object?

The radius of a curve directly affects the amount of friction experienced by an object. A larger radius results in a lower amount of friction, while a smaller radius results in a higher amount of friction. This is because a larger radius allows for a smoother curve, reducing the amount of resistance and therefore friction experienced by the object.

How can the radius of a curve be calculated given the speed and friction of an object?

The radius of a curve can be calculated using the formula: r = (mv^2)/F, where r is the radius, m is the mass of the object, v is the speed, and F is the force of friction. This formula takes into account the relationship between the speed, mass, and friction of an object to determine the radius of the curve it is moving on.

How can the friction of a curve be reduced to increase the speed of an object?

The friction of a curve can be reduced by making the surface of the curve smoother, using materials with lower coefficients of friction, and increasing the radius of the curve. By reducing friction, the object will experience less resistance and can therefore achieve higher speeds on the curve.

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