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6.1.3 On The Road Answers

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30 views4 pages

6.1.3 On The Road Answers

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1arsenalwon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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6.1.

3 On the road

Objects undergoing uniform circular motion have a resultant force acting


towards the centre of the circle. This is called the centripetal force. If a question
involves an object moving in a circle (or part of a circle), the resultant force
acting on the object will provide the centripetal force.
Three common problems involve hills, roundabouts and banked tracks.
The key to any circular motion problem is to identify the forces acting on the
object and then work out the resultant force.

Hills and hump backed bridges


Consider a vehicle moving along a circular path over a hill.
(1)! Label the forces acting on the vehicle.

normal reaction 𝐹34

velocity

Weight = mg

The resultant of the two forces acts as the centripetal force keeping the vehicle
moving in a circle.
(2)! Write down an expression for the resultant force acting on the vehicle.
𝐹" = 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 − 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑚𝑔 − 𝐹34
(3)! Using your prior knowledge (or look it up!), write down the formula for
centripetal force.
𝑚𝑣 7
𝐹5 = 𝑜𝑟 𝐹5 = 𝑚𝜔 7 𝑟
𝑟
(4)! Now equate this with the expression for resultant force.
𝑚𝑣 7
= 𝑚𝑔 − 𝐹34
𝑟

© 2016 flippedaroundphysics.com
(5)! Now write an expression for the speed (𝑣9 ) at which the car would just lift off
the road?
At this point the normal reaction would be zero.
𝑚𝑣97
= 𝑚𝑔 − 0
𝑟
∴ 𝑣97 = 𝑟𝑔

∴ 𝑣9 = 𝑟𝑔

Roundabouts
(6)! What provides the centripetal force for cars moving in a circle around a
roundabout? (Be specific)

Friction beween the


tyres and the road
surface provides the
centripetal force.

The limiting force of friction is given by 𝐹9 = µ𝑚𝑔, where µ is the coefficient of


friction, m is the mass of the car, and g is the gravitational field strength.
(7)! Show that the maximum speed vmax for no slipping is given by the expression:

𝑣=>? = 𝜇𝑔𝑟

Equate the limiting force of friction to the centripetal force:


7
𝑚𝑣=>?
𝜇𝑚𝑔 =
𝑟
7
∴ 𝑣=>? = 𝜇𝑔𝑟

∴ 𝑣=>? = 𝜇𝑔𝑟

© 2016 flippedaroundphysics.com
(8)! What 2 things could increase the speed at which the vehicle can go around
the roundabout?
Increase the coefficient of friction – e.g. by improving the grippiness of the road
surface or the tyre surface.
Increase the radius of curvature of the roundabout.

Banked tracks
A racetrack is often angled (banked) at the corners.
(9)! Why do you think that this is done?
So that cars can go round corners quicker.

R
The two forces acting on the
vehicle are the weight (mg)
and the normal reaction (R)
from the inclined track. The
track is inclined at an angle 𝜃.

mg
𝜃

Given that the vehicle is moving in a horizontal circle, we know that the resultant
force (centripetal force) must be a horizontal force, acting towards the centre of
the circle (to left).
R is the only force which can provide a horizontal force component.
(10)! Write down an expression for the horizontal component of R.
𝑅B = 𝑅 sin 𝜃
The horizontal component of R is therefore the centripetal force.
(11)! Now equate the horizontal component of R with the equation for
centripetal force.
𝑚𝑣 7
𝑅 sin 𝜃 = (1)
𝑟

© 2016 flippedaroundphysics.com
Because the car is remaining at the same height (not moving vertically), the
upward component of R should balance the downward component (weight).
(12)! Write an expression for the vertical component of R and equate it to the
weight.
𝑅K = 𝑅 cos 𝜃 = 𝑚𝑔 (2)

Now the challenging step!


(13)! Using your equations from above show that the car can corner without
requiring any friction, when the speed v is given by the following:

𝑣= 𝑔𝑟 tan 𝜃

Taking the second equation and making R the subject:


𝑚𝑔
𝑅=
cos 𝜃

Now substitute for R in the first equation:


𝑚𝑔 𝑚𝑣 7
sin 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃 𝑟
sin 𝜃
∴ 𝑣 7 = 𝑟𝑔
cos 𝜃
∴ 𝑣 = 𝑟𝑔 tan 𝜃

© 2016 flippedaroundphysics.com

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