Taking Corners

Friction and banked curves

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Centripetal force is a role played by tension, gravity, friction or a normal force.
• Flat bend: $v_{\max} = \sqrt{\mu g r}$, independent of mass.
• Frictionless banked curve: $\tan\theta = v^2/(rg)$.

Steps

1. Not a new force
2. Maximum cornering speed
3. Heavier cars
4. Banked curves
5. Rain on the bend
6. Design a bank