Circular and Satellite Motion - Mission CG5 Detailed Help

A 1050-kg car is making a turn on a level roadway at 22.5 m/s. The curve resembles the shape of a circle with a radius of 51.9 m. Determine the acceleration (in m/s/s), the net force (in N) and the magnitudes of all individual forces. Finally, indicate the direction of the net force and acceleration … .
 
(Note: Your numbers are randomly selected and may differ from the numbers listed above.)


 
Detail #1: Many students quickly reach a standstill on the questions in this mission because they fail to tap the button to toggle the acceleration and net force to the correct direction. Since this is central to the solution, you might do it first.
 
Detail #2: Minds on Physics calculates answers to the fourth decimal place. Your answers do not need to be that accurate. To be safe, enter at least four digits on each answer. If doing a sequence of consecutive calculations, do not round intermediate values; save all rounding until the final value has been determined.


 
Often times, success in physics demands that you have the proper approach - a good game plan. The following strategy should serve you well:
  1. Read the physical situation, analyze the diagram and determine the direction of the net force and acceleration. Click on the Dir'n button to set the direction to inward.
  2. Determine the acceleration of the car from the knowledge of v and R. If necessary, see Formula Frenzy section below.
  3. Determine the net force on the car from the knowledge of m and a. If necessary, see Formula Frenzy section.
  4. Since there is no up-down acceleration, the gravity force and the normal force must balance each other. Determine the gravity force from the mass. If necessary, see Formula Frenzy section. Then determine the normal force.
  5. In the case of a car making a horizontal turn, the net force is supplied by the friction between the road and the tires. Thus, the friction force is equal to the net force.

All blanks should now be filled in. Check your answer. If there is a mistake, recheck your calculations and try again. Be cautious of the rounding of answers.


 
The acceleration (a) of an object moving in a circle is dependent upon the speed (v) of the object and the radius (R) of the circle. The relationship is expressed by the equation:
 
a = v2 / R


The weight of an object or gravitational force (Fgrav) is dependent upon the object's mass (m) and the acceleration of gravity (g) - 9.8 m/s/s. The relationship is expressed by the equation:   

Fgrav = m • g


The net force (Fnet) acting on an object is dependent upon the object's mass (m) and its acceleration (a). The relationship is expressed by the equation: 

Fnet = m • a


 

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