A common physics textbook problem that professors love to test | Car on a slanted circular track

[@funnydonut2645]

wow that was really cool physics problem. great explanation!

[@theconstructortheorist3554]

While preparing for my country's national olympiad program in Physics (qualifier for IPhO), I practised similar type of problems. I remember one in the textbook (HRK Physics), in which, instead of calculating the linear speed of the object we had to compute the minimum and the maximum rotational speed of a 'funnel' inside which the object (a block) is resting, such that the block doesn't slide relative to the funnel. There's also a classic problem covering similar concepts in which we have to calculate the *optimal* speed of traversal, ie: the speed at which minimum wear and tear of tires is caused. This happens when the horizontal (x) component of Normal force is sufficient for providing the necessary centripetal acceleration to the object, and friction doesn't contribute anything.

[@dabidmydarling5398]

Bruh our teacher had this on one of my hw assignments the day after teaching us about friction. It was horrible.

[@Philgob]

Had a similar one in my mechanical physics course back in the day Failed that shit

[@bonchonjonjon]

lol sry to hear that. I would had failed the question in college but was lucky to have seen it once in high school.

[@erikhi8132]

what a lovely video i have no interest in physics whatsoever but it was my favorite in hs, nice memories

[@bonchonjonjon]

Glad this brought up memories! It did for me too.

[@ffhdyedq]

I dont get the sideway view of the car? Its more like a behind view(you are behind the car) Is the track circular but angled to the center of the track so like a cone shape? Because if it is really sideview then its more like a slope in terms of altitude of the track. Please help, thank you. Sorry english not my first language

[@bonchonjonjon]

The sideway view is simply take a cross-section of the track and car and looking at that plane, and yes it is also correct to say that the 2nd picture draw is a "behind view" as well. You can think about it like the car driving around on the inside of a cone if that helps, but I did not start with that explanation because the track does not extend out to a point as you would with a cone, maybe a truncated cone then? Ignore this last sentence if it confuses you.

[@ffhdyedq]

@@bonchonjonjon yes, i was correct to visualize it as a cone like shape. Thank you for confirming. It's a fun problem