[Math] How to find the speed of a car without skidding

physics

Q.)A car rounds a turn of radius 120 m on a flat road. If the coefficient of friction between the tires and
the road is 0.50, what is the maximum speed of the car without skidding?

I really don't get this problem. I get that centripetal force= mass*(velocity^2/radius) and frictional force = coefficient of friction*Normal force. If I put 120 m as radius for centripetal force I get just v^2 multiplied by a number which im trying to find(thats fine there), and if I put 0.50 as a sub for the coefficient I just have N or mg mutiplied by 0.50.

If I put it in newton's 2nd law being F(centripetal)-F(friction)=ma,
it wouldn't make sense because the acceleration and velocity is still undefined. Can anyone help me tackle this problem? Or am I just way off track?

Best Answer

The centripetal motion is supplied by the force of friction $f = \mu N = \mu mg$. Setting equal $$ \frac{mv^2}{r} = \mu mg \to v = \sqrt{\mu g r} $$

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