A 1500 kg car takes a 50-m-radius unbanked curve at 16 m/s. What is the size of the friction force on the car?

To determine the size of the friction force on the car as it takes the unbanked curve, we can use the following steps:

1. **Centripetal force requirement**: For an object moving in a circular path, the centripetal force \( F_c \) needed to keep it on the path is provided by friction in the case of a car on an unbanked curve. This force can be calculated using:

   \[
   F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}
   \]

   Where:
   - \( m = 1500 \, \text{kg} \) (mass of the car),
   - \( v = 16 \, \text{m/s} \) (speed of the car),
   - \( r = 50 \, \text{m} \) (radius of the curve).

2. **Calculate the centripetal force**:

   Substituting the given values into the equation:

   \[
   F_c = \frac{1500 \times 16^2}{50}
   \]

   First, calculate \( 16^2 = 256 \):

   \[
   F_c = \frac{1500 \times 256}{50}
   \]

   \[
   F_c = \frac{384000}{50} = 7680 \, \text{N}
   \]

Thus, the size of the friction force on the car is **7680 N**. This is the force of static friction that keeps the car moving in the circular path without slipping.

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Would you like further details or have any questions? 

Here are 5 related questions to expand on this topic:
1. How would the friction force change if the speed of the car increased to 20 m/s?
2. What happens to the required friction force if the radius of the curve increases?
3. How does banking the curve affect the friction force required to keep the car on track?
4. What is the role of static friction vs kinetic friction in circular motion?
5. How would this scenario change if the road were icy and the friction was reduced?

**Tip**: When driving on curves, the friction force provides the necessary centripetal force to prevent skidding. Always adjust speed accordingly based on the road conditions and curve radius.

Learn how to calculate the friction force acting on a 1500 kg car moving around a 50-m-radius unbanked curve at 16 m/s. This problem explores key physics concepts such as centripetal force, friction, and Newton's Second Law, and is suitable for students in Grades 10-12.

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