Solve Race Car G Problem: How Many G's?

  • Thread starter Thread starter strugglin-physics
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Car Race
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the acceleration experienced by a race car driver during a quarter-mile race, specifically focusing on how to express this acceleration in terms of "g's." The problem involves concepts from kinematics and dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to determine the appropriate formula for calculating acceleration based on distance and time. Some participants explore the kinematic equation for motion under constant acceleration, while others reflect on their initial approaches and formulas used.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with one providing a calculation of acceleration and relating it to "g's." There is acknowledgment of different approaches, and some participants are seeking clarification on their reasoning and methods.

Contextual Notes

One participant expresses uncertainty about the formulas applicable to the problem, indicating a potential gap in understanding the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. Another participant introduces a different problem related to maximum force, suggesting a broader context of inquiry.

strugglin-physics
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
A particular race car can cover a quarter-mile track (402 m) in 6.27 seconds, starting from a standstill. Assuming the acceleration is constant, how many "g's" does the driver experience?

This has to be a really easy problem as I am given the m and the sec but I can not figure out what formula to use for this problem...

Please help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
x = x + vt + 1/2at^2
402m = 0 + 0 + 1/2(a)(6.27^2)
804m = 39.3129a
a = 804/39.3129
a = 20.45m/s/s

since one 'g' = 9.8
the driver experiences a little bit over 2 g's?
 
OH that makes sense. I was trying to use the formula F=ma to solve the problem. Oops. Thank you much for your assistance.
 
Maybe you could help me with this problem also?
The position of a mass m = 24 kg is given (in m) by x(t) = 7sin(5t). Calculate the magnitude of the maximum force acting on the mass.

I know that acceleration is the double prime of the formula but I don't know how to find the maximum force.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
6K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 48 ·
2
Replies
48
Views
10K
Replies
12
Views
5K