Question

A certain light truck can go around a flat curve having a radius of 150 m with a maximum speed of 28.0 m/s. With what maximum speed can it go around a curve having a radius of 73.0 m?

Answer 1

Given Information:  

Radius = r₁ = 150 m

Radius = r₂ = 73 m

Maximum speed = v₁ = 28.0 m/s

Required Information:  

Maximum speed = v₂ = ?

Answer:

Maximum speed v₂ = 19.53 m/s

Explanation:

The maximum acceleration of the truck is

a = v²₁/r₁

a = 28²/150

a = 5.226 m/s²

Now if we change the radius to r₂ = 73 m

Then the maximum speed of the truck is

v₂ = √a*r₂

v₂ = √5.226*73

v₂ = 19.53 m/s

So the speed of the truck is decreased when the radius of curve is decreased.