Dynamiek van cirkelbeweging: toepassingen

When a car is moving in a circular path at a constant speed, the forces acting are the static frictional force, its weight, and the normal force.

In the horizontal direction, the radial static frictional force provides the necessary centripetal force for the circular motion and is the product of friction coefficient and normal force.

In the vertical direction, normal force equals the car's weight.

By substituting for N and solving for velocity, the maximum speed of the car can be obtained.

Beyond this speed, the static friction reduces and the vehicle will skid outwards.

Hence, racing tracks designed for high-speed travel have banked curves. The road slope with a greater banking angle helps the vehicle travel at higher speeds without relying on friction.

On a banked road, the horizontal normal force component acting towards the center of the curve provides the centripetal force, while the vertical normal force component balances the car's weight.

Dividing the two equations, an expression for the required banking angle and the car's maximum speed is obtained.