A 902 kg automobile is moving at a maximum speed of 37 m/s on a level circular track of radius 216 m. What is the coefficient of friction?

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Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
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**Problem Statement:**

A 902 kg automobile is moving at a maximum speed of 37 m/s on a level circular track of radius 216 m. What is the coefficient of friction?

**Analysis:**

This problem involves understanding the forces acting on the automobile as it moves in a circular path. The key force here is the frictional force, which provides the centripetal force needed to keep the car moving in a circle.

**Solution:**

1. **Data Given:**
   - Mass of the automobile, \( m = 902 \, \text{kg} \)
   - Speed of the automobile, \( v = 37 \, \text{m/s} \)
   - Radius of the circular track, \( r = 216 \, \text{m} \)

2. **Centripetal Force Requirement:**
   \[
   F_c = \frac{m \cdot v^2}{r}
   \]

3. **Frictional Force:**
   - The frictional force \( F_f \) is given by:
     \[
     F_f = \mu \cdot m \cdot g
     \]
   where \( \mu \) is the coefficient of friction and \( g = 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \), the acceleration due to gravity.

4. **Equating Forces:**
   \[
   \frac{m \cdot v^2}{r} = \mu \cdot m \cdot g
   \]

5. **Solving for \(\mu\):**
   \[
   \mu = \frac{v^2}{r \cdot g}
   \]
   \[
   \mu = \frac{37^2}{216 \cdot 9.81}
   \]

6. **Calculation:**
   \[
   \mu \approx \frac{1369}{2118.96} \approx 0.646
   \]

**Conclusion:**

The coefficient of friction required to maintain the car's motion on the track is approximately 0.646.
Transcribed Image Text:**Problem Statement:** A 902 kg automobile is moving at a maximum speed of 37 m/s on a level circular track of radius 216 m. What is the coefficient of friction? **Analysis:** This problem involves understanding the forces acting on the automobile as it moves in a circular path. The key force here is the frictional force, which provides the centripetal force needed to keep the car moving in a circle. **Solution:** 1. **Data Given:** - Mass of the automobile, \( m = 902 \, \text{kg} \) - Speed of the automobile, \( v = 37 \, \text{m/s} \) - Radius of the circular track, \( r = 216 \, \text{m} \) 2. **Centripetal Force Requirement:** \[ F_c = \frac{m \cdot v^2}{r} \] 3. **Frictional Force:** - The frictional force \( F_f \) is given by: \[ F_f = \mu \cdot m \cdot g \] where \( \mu \) is the coefficient of friction and \( g = 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \), the acceleration due to gravity. 4. **Equating Forces:** \[ \frac{m \cdot v^2}{r} = \mu \cdot m \cdot g \] 5. **Solving for \(\mu\):** \[ \mu = \frac{v^2}{r \cdot g} \] \[ \mu = \frac{37^2}{216 \cdot 9.81} \] 6. **Calculation:** \[ \mu \approx \frac{1369}{2118.96} \approx 0.646 \] **Conclusion:** The coefficient of friction required to maintain the car's motion on the track is approximately 0.646.
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