Final answer:
The question discusses ideal speed and tire friction for safely taking curves on winding mountain highways, with examples including calculating the banking angle for turns and the ideal speed for a frictionless curve.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to ideal speed, which is the maximum safe speed at which a vehicle can turn on a curve without the aid of friction between the tire and road. In the context of winding mountain highways and blind curves, this concept is significant because drivers must be aware of the limits at which their vehicles can safely navigate turns.
For example, a curve with a 100 m radius banked at 31.0° requires an ideal speed if one is taking the curve without relying on road friction. Tire friction offers additional support allowing a vehicle to maneuver at higher speeds than the ideal speed. When considering a gentle turn of 1.20 km radius on a highway with a 105 km/h speed limit, one must calculate the ideal banking angle assuming all vehicles travel at the speed limit. These calculations are essential for road safety and vehicle design for navigating curves effectively.