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ExamsJEE AdvancedPhysics

A car moves with constant speed on a rough banked road. Three free body diagrams (FBDs) labeled A, B, and C show different combinations of normal force, friction, and weight for the car at the same banked curve. In FBD A, friction acts up the incline; in FBD B, friction acts down the incline; in FBD C, there is no friction force. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Car in A has more speed than car in C
  2. Car in A has less speed than car in B
  3. FBD for car in A is not possible
  4. If mu > tan(theta) the FBD for car C is not possible

Correct answer: Car in A has less speed than car in B

Solution

On a banked road, the ideal speed where no friction is needed satisfies v² = Rg tan(theta). If the car travels slower than this, the tendency is to slide down the bank, so friction acts up the incline (FBD A situation). If the car travels faster, tendency is to slide up the bank, so friction acts down (FBD B). In FBD C (no friction), car is at ideal speed. So speed: A < C < B. Statement 1 says A > C: wrong. Statement 2 says A < B: correct. Statement 3 says FBD A is impossible: wrong (low speed scenario is valid). Statement 4: if mu > tan(theta), the car can be stationary on the bank, so FBD C (no friction) is still possible at v = v_ideal; the statement is incorrect.

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