Final answer:
While the safety recommendation for crossing railroad tracks is to do so at a 90-degree angle, banked curves in physics allow vehicles to turn safely at specific speeds without relying on friction. The banked angle is determined by the speed limit and curvature of the turn.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you need to cross railroad tracks that run parallel to your lane, it is typically recommended to cross the tracks at a right angle (90 degrees) to ensure safety and to minimize the risk of the wheels getting caught; however, this piece of advice is more related to traffic safety rather than the physics of banked curves or the angle calculations provided in various examples in the prompt.
Banked curves in physics refer to the ideal angle at which a road or track should be tilted to allow vehicles to make a turn without relying on friction. This ideal angle depends on the speed of the vehicle and the radius of the turn. For example, for a gentle turn on a highway with a certain radius and speed limit, an ideally banked curve allows vehicles to turn safely at the speed limit.
In the case of a race track or highway, the steeper the banked angle, the higher the speed that vehicles can take the curve safely without slipping. This principle is also applied to railroad track design, ensuring that trains can negotiate curves at specific design speeds.