Question

What are the critical speeds of the automobile?

a) Speeds that improve automobile performance
b) Speeds that cause resonance of the automobile
c) Speeds that reduce fuel consumption
d) Speeds that prevent accidents

Answer 1

The critical speeds of an automobile are the speeds that cause resonance, leading to potential mechanical issues or affecting the vehicle's stability and control. Traveling faster than this speed may lead to instability, whereas slower speeds are typically safer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The critical speeds of an automobile are those speeds that cause resonance in the automobile. Resonance can lead to excessive vibrations, which may result in mechanical failure or impact the vehicle's stability and handling. In physics, this concept is associated with the natural oscillatory frequencies of physical systems, which include automobiles. When the driving frequency, or speed, of an automobile matches its natural frequency, resonance occurs, potentially causing problematic oscillations throughout the structure of the vehicle.

To answer the questions provided:

• (a) If the car goes over the top at faster than the critical speed, it is likely to encounter stability issues and unsafe conditions.
• (b) If the car goes over the top at slower than the critical speed, it will not induce resonance and hence is typically safer.