Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Circular Motion
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Circular Motion
A track consists of two circular parts ABC and CDE of equal radius...
A track consists of two circular parts and of equal radius , joined smoothly. Each part subtends a right angle at its centre. A cycle weighing together with the rider travels at a constant speed of on the track. What should be the minimum friction coefficient between the road and the tyre to ensure that the cyclist can move with constant speed? Take .
Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
B.
Step-by-step solution
The track is in a vertical plane. For the two circular arcs to join smoothly and each subtend at their respective centers, the track must have horizontal tangents at the lowest point of the concave part (valley) and the highest point of the convex part (hill). The angle made by the radius with the vertical varies from to for both parts.
For the cyclist to move at a constant speed , the net tangential force must be zero. Thus, the required friction force balances the tangential component of gravity:
The normal force depends on whether the cyclist is on the concave or convex part of the track:
On the concave part (ABC):
On the convex part (CDE):
To prevent slipping, the coefficient of friction must satisfy everywhere on the track. The required will be maximum where is maximum and is minimum. This occurs on the convex part at the maximum angle, .
Given values:
Calculate the term :
Substitute the values into the condition for the convex part at :
\mu_\min = \dfrac{mg \sin 45^\circ}{mg \cos 45^\circ - \dfrac{mv^2}{R}} = \dfrac{\sin 45^\circ}{\cos 45^\circ - \dfrac{v^2}{Rg}}
\mu_\min = \dfrac{\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}}}{\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - 0.025} = \dfrac{1}{1 - 0.025\sqrt{2}}
Using :
\mu_\min = \dfrac{1}{1 - 0.025 \times 1.414} = \dfrac{1}{1 - 0.03535} = \dfrac{1}{0.96465} \approx 1.037
Therefore, the minimum friction coefficient required is .
Answer:
For the cyclist to move at a constant speed , the net tangential force must be zero. Thus, the required friction force balances the tangential component of gravity:
The normal force depends on whether the cyclist is on the concave or convex part of the track:
On the concave part (ABC):
On the convex part (CDE):
To prevent slipping, the coefficient of friction must satisfy everywhere on the track. The required will be maximum where is maximum and is minimum. This occurs on the convex part at the maximum angle, .
Given values:
Calculate the term :
Substitute the values into the condition for the convex part at :
\mu_\min = \dfrac{mg \sin 45^\circ}{mg \cos 45^\circ - \dfrac{mv^2}{R}} = \dfrac{\sin 45^\circ}{\cos 45^\circ - \dfrac{v^2}{Rg}}
\mu_\min = \dfrac{\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}}}{\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - 0.025} = \dfrac{1}{1 - 0.025\sqrt{2}}
Using :
\mu_\min = \dfrac{1}{1 - 0.025 \times 1.414} = \dfrac{1}{1 - 0.03535} = \dfrac{1}{0.96465} \approx 1.037
Therefore, the minimum friction coefficient required is .
Answer: