Theta (θ)
Definition
Theta refers to the minimum angle of inclination of a banked curve, which is determined by the formula arctan(v² / (r * g)). It represents the angle at which a vehicle can safely navigate a curved road without slipping or skidding.
Analogy
Imagine you're driving on a curved road with high speed. The angle theta is like the tilt of your car as it goes around the curve. If the road is properly banked, your car will stay on track without sliding off.
Related terms
Velocity (v): Velocity refers to the speed and direction of an object's motion. It determines how fast an object is moving along a curved path.
Radius (r): Radius is the distance from the center of a circle to its outer edge. In this context, it represents the radius of curvature for a banked curve.
Acceleration due to gravity (g): Acceleration due to gravity is a constant value that determines how quickly objects fall towards Earth. It plays a role in calculating the minimum angle of inclination for a banked curve.
"Theta (θ)" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.