The race car is subjected to 24,000 newtons of centripetal force, and the source of this force is the friction between the tires and the racetrack.
Centripetal Force and Source of Force in Circular Motion
The question involves a race car with a mass of 1200 kg producing a centripetal acceleration of 20 m/s². First, we need to find the centripetal force. The formula for centripetal force (Fc) is Fc = m × ac, where m is mass and ac is centripetal acceleration. Therefore, the centripetal force is Fc = 1200 kg × 20 m/s² = 24000 N. The car and the driver are subjected to 24,000 newtons of centripetal force.
The source of the force that keeps the car moving in a circle on the racetrack is typically the frictional force between the tires and the road. This static frictional force acts inward towards the center of the circular path, providing the necessary centripetal force to maintain circular motion.