Warning: MATH ALERT

 

Here may be a fun problem for you to think about and solve...

 

 

In 1989, Shirley Muldowney set a new record for the fastest 1/4 mile by a wheel-driven car.

 

If I told you that the coefficient of static friction between her tires and the road was mu = 3.34, what was her best possible time?

 

 

 

Cheers,

w=f[z]

 

Footnote:

Her record has been broken since, but I'm too lazy to look up the new number and owner of that number.

 

Edit: Would someone be kind enough to tell me how to get LaTeX to work here. For example, $\mu=...$ doesn't seem to work. Thanks!

[ math] latex code [ /math], e.g. [math] \psi_\mu = J_\mu [/math].

[ math] latex code [ /math], e.g. [math] \psi_\mu = J_\mu [/math].

 

Muchas gracias!

[math]\mu_s=3.34[/math]

Would it help to mention that all you need to solve this is a little algebra and some intro-physics type knowledge....

 

Cheers

mg mu= ma

 

mu*g=a

 

 

3.34*32=~109

 

1375=53*t^2

 

5 seconds roughly, which would be an impressive time.

 

it should be noted I used some guesstimations for the arithmatic

Not bad CPL. I see you refrained from converting to SI. There's still room for someone to verify CPL's result.... Good fun!

 

Cheers

yeah since you gave part of the problem in english units there was no need.

The current record (from the NHRA) is 4.428 by Tony Schumacher back in '06. This is a Top Fuel dragster I believe.

 

I'm looking for a reliable source for the 3 second rocket cars still.