Chapter 4: Q11Q (page 83)

Figure 4-28 shows four tracks (either half- or quarter-circles) that can be taken by a train, which moves at a constant speed. Rank the tracks according to the magnitude of a train’s acceleration on the curved portion, greatest first.

Short Answer

Expert verified

$Rank : 2 > 1 = 4 > 3$

Step by step solution

Given information

Rank according to radius: 3 > 4 = 1 > 2

To understand the concept

This problem is based on concept of centripetal acceleration due to motion on curved path.

Formulae:

Centripetal acceleration is given by,

$(a_{c}) = \frac{v^{2}}{r}$

The rank of the tracks according to the magnitude of train’s acceleration on the curved portion.

Centripetal acceleration can be written as,

$a = \frac{v^{2}}{r}$

Distance between the right side and the dotted lines represents the radius of the curved portion of the track. Radius of the curved portion of the track is smallest for track 2. For track 1 and 4, radius is same, but it is greater than track 2 and smaller than track 3. Radius is greatest for track 3.

As speed is same for all tracks, centripetal acceleration is inversely proportional to radius of curve.

Hence, ranking according to acceleration is:

$Rank : 2 > 1 = 4 > 3$

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Figure 4-28 shows four tracks (either half- or quarter-circles) that can be taken by a train, which moves at a constant speed. Rank the tracks according to the magnitude of a train’s acceleration on the curved portion, greatest first.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Given information

To understand the concept

The rank of the tracks according to the magnitude of train’s acceleration on the curved portion.

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Classical Mechanics

Force

Physical Quantities And Units

Atoms and Radioactivity

Modern Physics

Physics of Motion

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.