Question

You are driving a 4000 kg pickup truck on a cold winter day when the coefficient of static friction for tires on the icy road is only 0.13. What is fastest you can drive around a bend whose radius of curvature is 50 m?

Answer 1

8 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

`m` = mass of the pickup truck = 4000 kg

`\mu_(s)` = Coefficient of static friction between tires and ice road = 0.13

`r` = Radius of curvature = 50 m

The frictional force between tires and ice road provides the necessary centripetal force to move in circle. hence

centripetal force = frictional force

`(mv^(2))/(r) = \mu_(s) mg\\(v^(2))/(r) = \mu_(s) g\\(v^(2))/(50) = (0.13) (9.8)\\v^(2) = (0.13) (9.8) (50)\\v = 8 ms^(-1)`