What Is the Maximum Speed a Car Can Maintain in a Curve Without Skidding?

In summary, centripetal acceleration is the acceleration experienced by an object moving in a circular path, caused by a centripetal force and calculated using the formula A = v^2/r. It is different from tangential acceleration, which is the acceleration in the direction of motion. Real-life examples include a car turning, a planet orbiting, and a spinning coin.
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datajd
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A car rounds a corner of radius r= 45 m. If the coefficient of static friction between the car and the road is= 0.82, what is the greatest speed the car can have in the corner without skidding?

am i in the right direction with v^2=.82*9.8*45m? then square root both sides for the answer?
 
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  • #2
You are on the right rack.
 
  • #3


Yes, you are on the right track with your equation. The centripetal acceleration is given by the formula a = v^2 / r, where v is the velocity and r is the radius of the curve. In this case, the maximum velocity that the car can have without skidding can be found by setting the centripetal acceleration equal to the maximum static friction force (which is equal to μs * mg, where μs is the coefficient of static friction and mg is the weight of the car). So, your equation is correct: v^2 = μs * g * r. To find the maximum velocity, you would then take the square root of both sides of the equation. The final answer would depend on the value of g, which is approximately 9.8 m/s^2 on Earth. So, the greatest speed the car can have in the corner without skidding would be approximately 19.2 m/s (or 43 mph).
 

FAQ: What Is the Maximum Speed a Car Can Maintain in a Curve Without Skidding?

What is centripetal acceleration?

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration experienced by an object moving in a circular path, directed towards the center of the circle.

What causes centripetal acceleration?

Centripetal acceleration is caused by a centripetal force, which is directed towards the center of the circle and keeps the object moving in its circular path.

How is centripetal acceleration calculated?

Centripetal acceleration can be calculated using the formula A = v^2/r, where A is the acceleration, v is the velocity of the object, and r is the radius of the circular path.

What is the difference between centripetal acceleration and tangential acceleration?

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration towards the center of the circle, while tangential acceleration is the acceleration in the direction of motion. They are perpendicular to each other, but both contribute to the overall acceleration of the object.

What are some real-life examples of centripetal acceleration?

Some examples of centripetal acceleration include a car turning around a corner, a planet orbiting around the sun, and a coin spinning on a tabletop.

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