A 980 kg car traveling at 20 m/s rounds a curve of radius 40 m. What is the friction force that must act on the car to keep it in its circular path?
M*V^2/R = 980*400/40 = 9800 Newtons
If the curve were banked, less friction force would be needed.
To calculate the friction force that must act on the car to keep it in its circular path, we can use the concept of centripetal force.
Step 1: Calculate the centripetal force required.
The centripetal force is given by the formula:
F = (m * v^2) / r
where:
F is the centripetal force,
m is the mass of the car (980 kg),
v is the velocity of the car (20 m/s),
and r is the radius of the curve (40 m).
Substituting the given values:
F = (980 kg * (20 m/s)^2) / 40 m
Step 2: Calculate the friction force.
The friction force provides the centripetal force required. Therefore, the friction force is equal to the centripetal force.
Friction force = Centripetal force
Friction force = [(m * v^2) / r] = [(980 kg * (20 m/s)^2) / 40 m]
Now, we can calculate:
Friction force = (980 kg * (20 m/s)^2) / 40 m
Friction force ≈ 9800 N
So, the friction force that must act on the car to keep it in its circular path is approximately 9800 N.