If the motorcyclist is moving in a horizontal circular track, it needs a friction force, 𝐹⃗ ,acting on

the wheels of the motorcycle. The force must have a tangential component in the direction of
motion in order to increase the velocity modulus and a normal component to the trajectory so
as to have a circular trajectory, so the force points into the concavity of the curve.

At a given moment we can draw the force 𝐹⃗ and velocity of motion 𝑣⃗, at point P, according to
the figure below.

𝑅 𝑣⃗
𝛽 α
𝐹⃗

Writing the equations of motion of the motorcycle, in the normal direction and tangent to the
trajectory, we obtain:
𝑑𝑣
𝑚 = 𝐹 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 (1)
𝑑𝑡

𝑣2
𝑚 𝑅
= 𝐹 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝛼 (2)

Deriving equation 2 in order of time, we obtain;

2𝑣 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝛼
𝑚 𝑅 𝑑𝑡
= 𝑑𝑡
𝐹 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼

and substituting equation (1) and simplifying, we have:

2𝑣 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝛼 𝑑𝑣 2𝑣 𝑑𝛼
𝑚 = 𝑚 ⇔ = (3)
𝑅 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑅 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝛽
The angular velocity is given by: 𝑣 = 𝜔𝑅 and 𝜔 =
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝛽 𝑣 𝑑𝛽
𝑣= 𝑑𝑡
𝑅 ⇔ 𝑅
= 𝑑𝑡
so we have the relation:
𝑑𝛽 𝑑𝛼
2 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑑𝑡
, integrating thus:

2𝛽 = 𝛼 + 𝑘 , where 𝑘 is a constant. (4)

Like the motorcyclist is taking off from rest, from equation (4), 𝛼 = 𝛽 = 0

So 𝑘 = 0 and from equation (4) we obtain:

2𝛽 = 𝛼 (5)

When the speed is maximum the normal component force to the trajectory is maximum to,
thus
𝜋 𝜋
𝑠𝑒𝑛𝛼 = 1 ⇔ 𝛼 = 2
from equation (5) 𝛽 = 4
𝜋
4 1 1
Like 2𝜋
= 8, so fraction of the track will be 8 = 0,125 or 12,5%.

Teacher: José Costa Leme

Escola Básica e Secundária de Arga e Lima, Viana do Castelo
Portugal