what distance can a car traveling at 60 mph safely turn 180 degrees with totally stopping?
To determine the distance a car can safely turn 180 degrees without coming to a stop, we need to consider various factors including the car's speed, turning radius, and the coefficient of friction between the tires and the road surface.
1. Turning radius: The turning radius is the smallest circular path a car can follow when making a turn. It depends on the specific make and model of the car. Let's assume a typical passenger car, which typically has a turning radius of around 15 feet.
2. Coefficient of friction: The coefficient of friction is a measure of the grip between the tires and the road surface. It determines how effectively the tires can generate the necessary lateral force to make a turn without sliding. The coefficient of friction depends on various factors like tire type, road conditions, and weather. Assuming ideal road conditions, we can consider a coefficient of friction of around 0.7.
Now, let's calculate the distance a car can safely turn 180 degrees without stopping using the following steps:
Step 1: Convert the car's speed from miles per hour (mph) to feet per second (fps).
60 mph = (60 * 5280 ft) / (60 * 60 s) = 88 ft/s
Step 2: Calculate the circumference of the circle formed by the turning radius.
Circumference = 2 * π * turning radius
Circumference = 2 * 3.14159 * 15 ft ≈ 94.25 ft
Step 3: Find the distance covered while turning 180 degrees.
Distance = Circumference * 180 degrees / 360 degrees
Distance = 94.25 ft * 180 / 360 ≈ 47.13 ft
So, a car traveling at 60 mph can safely turn 180 degrees without stopping in approximately 47.13 feet, assuming a turning radius of 15 feet and a coefficient of friction of 0.7. Keep in mind that this calculation assumes ideal conditions and may vary in real-world scenarios.