In this chapter we focus on the phy

In this chapter we focus on the physics of three common types of force: frictionalforce, drag force, and centripetal force. An engineer preparing a car for theIndianapolis 500 must consider all three types. Frictional forces acting on the tiresare crucial to the car’s acceleration out of the pit and out of a curve (if the car hitsan oil slick, the friction is lost and so is the car). Drag forces acting on the carfrom the passing air must be minimized or else the car will consume too muchfuel and have to pit too early (even one 14 s pit stop can cost a driver the race).Centripetal forces are crucial in the turns (if there is insufficient centripetal force,the car slides into the wall).We start our discussion with frictional forces.