A 200kg car is traveling at 50m/s on a level, circular track with radius 100m. What is the traction force required to keep the car on the track?
a. 25000N
b. 50,000N
c. 10000N
d. 2500N
e. 5000N
m v2/r
To find the traction force required to keep the car on the track, we need to use the centripetal force formula. The centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. It is given by the equation:
F = (mv²) / r
Where:
F = centripetal force
m = mass of the car = 200 kg
v = velocity of the car = 50 m/s
r = radius of the circular track = 100 m
Now let's substitute the given values into the formula:
F = (200 kg * (50 m/s)²) / 100 m
F = (200 kg * 2500 m²/s²) / 100 m
F = 500,000 N / 100
F = 5000 N
Therefore, the traction force required to keep the car on the track is 5000 N. So, the correct answer is option e.