Obtain the formula for the maximum safe speed $(v_{max})$ of a vehicle on a level curved road.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Consider a vehicle of mass $m$ moving on a level curved road of radius $R$. The forces acting on the vehicle are:
$(1)$ The gravitational force $(mg)$ acting downwards.
$(2)$ The normal reaction force $(N)$ acting upwards from the road surface. Since there is no vertical motion,$N = mg$.
$(3)$ The static frictional force $(f_s)$ acting towards the center of the circular path,which provides the necessary centripetal force.
For safe turning,the required centripetal force must be provided by the static friction:
$\frac{mv^2}{R} \leq f_s$
Since the maximum value of static friction is $f_{s,max} = \mu_s N = \mu_s mg$,we have:
$\frac{mv_{max}^2}{R} = \mu_s mg$
Solving for $v_{max}$:
$v_{max}^2 = \mu_s Rg$
$v_{max} = \sqrt{\mu_s Rg}$
Where $\mu_s$ is the coefficient of static friction between the tyres and the road surface.

Explore More

Similar Questions

For a banked curved road,if the velocity of the vehicle $v < v_0$ (where $v_0$ is the optimum speed),what is the direction of the frictional force?

Difficult
View Solution

$A$ particle on the inner rough surface of a cone rotating about its vertical axis is at rest relative to the cone at a height of $1 \ m$ above its vertex. If the coefficient of friction is $\mu = 0.5$ and the semi-vertical angle of the cone is $45^\circ$,what is the maximum angular velocity $\omega$ of the cone?

Difficult
View Solution

The maximum speed of a car on a road turn of radius $30\,m$; if the coefficient of friction between the tyres and the road is $0.4$; will be ........ $m/s$. (in $.84$)

Difficult
View Solution

$A$ hollow vertical cylinder of radius $R$ is rotated with angular velocity $\omega$ about an axis through its center. What is the minimum coefficient of static friction necessary to keep the mass $M$ suspended on the inside of the cylinder as it rotates?

On a dry road,the maximum speed of a vehicle along a circular path is $V$. When the road becomes wet,the maximum speed becomes $\frac{V}{2}$. If the coefficient of friction of the dry road is $\mu$,then the coefficient of friction of the wet road is:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo