CWA
03-05-2013, 01:16 PM
Hi guys, I have a rather specific question. As titled, it's with regards to an equation in Milliken's Race Car Vehicle Dynamics book, on Page 146; Equation 5.2.
ay = Vr + V. (the dot is supposed to be on top..)
I understand that Vr comes from V^2/R, because r = V/R. But the second term on the right side is what confuses me.
I've read the explanation but still just can't get my head around this idea that there is more that contributes to ay than just centrifugal force due to path curvature.
The text says that this second term is due to direct lateral acceleration; how does that differ from centrifugal force? And in which directions are these different force components both positive?
If anyone can help shed any light on this, perhaps describe things in a different way; I'd be very grateful.
ay = Vr + V. (the dot is supposed to be on top..)
I understand that Vr comes from V^2/R, because r = V/R. But the second term on the right side is what confuses me.
I've read the explanation but still just can't get my head around this idea that there is more that contributes to ay than just centrifugal force due to path curvature.
The text says that this second term is due to direct lateral acceleration; how does that differ from centrifugal force? And in which directions are these different force components both positive?
If anyone can help shed any light on this, perhaps describe things in a different way; I'd be very grateful.