Before 1960 it was believed that the maximum attainable coefficient of static friction for an automobile tire was less than 1. Then, about 1962, three companies independently developed racing tires with coefficients of 1.6. Since then, tires have improved, as illustrated in this problem. According to the 1990 Guinness Book of Records, the shortest time in which a piston-engine car initially at rest has covered a distance of one-quarter mile is 4.96 s. This record was set by Shirley Muldowney in September 1989.
(a) Assume that, as in Figure P5.38, the rear wheels lifted the front wheels off the pavement. What minimum value of μs is necessary to achieve the record time?
(b) Suppose Muldowney were able to double her engine power, keeping other things equal. How would this change affect the elapsed time?

Transcribed Image Text:

Figure P5.38