Find the speed, in mph, at which the sports car was driven around the circular track.

Question

Performance tests of an automobile typically include measurements of the car’s handling capability, i.e. how well the tires can “grip” the road. In one standard test, the car is driven on a circular track of radius 150 feet with as fast a speed as possible. The speed is recorded and used to calculate the “lateral acceleration”, i.e. the acceleration of the car toward the center of the circle (which is responsible for changing the car’s direction). A certain sports car was measured in this test to have a lateral acceleration of 0.915 g’s (where a “g” is equal to 9.80 m/s². Find the speed, in mph, at which the sports car was driven around the circular track. (Note: 1 meter is 3.28 feet.)

Answer 1

We will apply: Given, Asked, Picture and Solve. I call GAPS strategy an effective

technique of solving Physics problem

Given: Radius of track R = 150 ft. = 45.732 m

Lateral acceleration A = 0.915 g = 8.977 m/s^2

Asked: Speed of car V in miles per hour (mph)

Picture: Uniform Circular motion. Equation Acceleration A = v^2/R

Solve: substitute values and find V. 8.977 = V^2/45.732, V^2 = 410.536

V = 20.262 m/s = 20.262 m/s x 3.28 ft/m x 3600 s/hr ÷ 5280 ft/mile = 45.313 mph

Answer 45.313 miles per hour

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Shailesh (Sky) Kadakia, Expert Physics tutor

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