Question

The cornering performance of an automobile is evaluated on a skid pad, where the maximum speed that a car can maintain around a circular path on a dry, flat surface is measured. Then the centripetal acceleration, also called the lateral acceleration, is calculated as a multiple of the free-fall acceleration g. The main factors affecting the performance of the car are its tire characteristics and suspension system. A Dodge Viper GTS can negotiate a skid pad of radius 61.0 m at 86.5 km/h. Calculate its maximum lateral acceleration.

Answer 1

Answer:

0.04g

Explanation:

Since it lateral acceleration is is its centripetal acceleration, the centripetal acceleration, a is given by

a = v²/r where v = speed of Dodge Viper GTS= 86.5 km/h = 86.5 × 1000 m/3600 s = 24.03 m/s and r = radius of skid pad = 61.0 m.

So, a = v²/r

= 24.028 m/s ÷ 61.0 m

= 0.394 m/s²

So, its maximum lateral acceleration is 0.394 m/s². Since g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s²

a/g = 0.394 m/s² ÷ 9.8 m/s² = 0.04

So, a = 0.0402g

a ≅ 0.04g