Answer to Question #191390 in Mechanics | Relativity for Madiha

Question

Other things being equal, would it be easier to drive at high speed around an unbanked horizontal curve on the moon than drive around the same curve on the earth?

Answer 1

Making a curve depends directly on the inclination of the plane, the friction force, and the centripetal force. Then the following relation must be fulfilled,

$∑F=ma_c$

Here,

m=Mass

$a_c=Centripetal Acceleration$

For ease, we will assume a totally flat surface without inclination. In this way, the definition of the friction force of a body is equal to,

$F_f=μN$

Here,

μ=Coefficient of Static Friction

N=Normal Force

The Normal force in a plane without inclination is equal to,

N=mg

So since gravity on the moon is less than on earth, so will the force of friction. If the friction force is less, it implies that maneuvering on the Moon is much more difficult because when cornering the centripetal force is 'equal' to the friction force to maintain stability. If the centripetal force is equal to that of the earth but the friction force is decreased, it is likely that the object "slips" and there is an accident. So it is more difficult to maneuver on the moon.