Free-Body Diagram Homework: Truck Accelerates at Red Light

  • Thread starter CursedAntagonis
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Diagram
Friction force of the box on the truck bed should be going to the left (opposite direction of the truck's acceleration). Reaction force to the tires backward push should be going to the left (opposite direction of the truck's acceleration). Reaction to the normal force on the box from the truck should be going to the left (opposite direction of the truck's acceleration).In summary, the conversation discusses a scenario where a large box containing a new computer slides towards the back of a truck when the truck accelerates. The conversation also includes a request for a free-body diagram of the truck, with labeled forces such as normal force, weight, friction force, reaction force to the tires, and reaction to the normal force. The final solution involves
  • #1
CursedAntagonis
23
0

Homework Statement


A large box containing your new computer sits on the bed of your pickup truck. You are stopped at a red light. The light turns green and you stomp on the gas and the truck accelerates. To your horror, the box starts to slide toward the back of the truck. (Assume that the truck is accelerating to the right.)


Draw clearly labeled free-body diagram for the truck. (The bed of the truck is not frictionless.)

Homework Equations


N normal force
Wt Weight of the truck
fk is friction force of the box on the truck bed
Froad is the reaction force to the tires backward push
nb is the reaction to the normal force on the box from the truck

The Attempt at a Solution



I got N going upward
Wt going downward
nb going downard
fk going to the right (forward)
Froad going to the right (forward)

However, it's not the correct answer. Anyone could explain to me what I got wrong here?

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
No one knows the answer or can lend me a hand with this?
 
  • #3
Normal force of the box by the truck bed should be going up.
 

1. What is a free-body diagram?

A free-body diagram is a visual representation of all the forces acting on an object in a given system. It is used to analyze the motion of an object and determine the net force acting on it.

2. Why is it important to draw a free-body diagram?

Drawing a free-body diagram helps to identify all the forces acting on an object and their directions. This information is crucial in understanding the motion of the object and determining the net force, which ultimately affects its acceleration.

3. How do you draw a free-body diagram?

To draw a free-body diagram, you must first identify the object in the system and all the forces acting on it. Then, draw a dot to represent the object and use arrows to represent each force, with the length and direction of the arrows corresponding to the magnitude and direction of the force. Finally, label each force and the object.

4. What forces are typically included in a free-body diagram for a truck accelerating at a red light?

The forces typically included in a free-body diagram for a truck accelerating at a red light are the weight of the truck, the normal force from the ground, and the force of friction between the tires and the road. Depending on the specific scenario, other forces such as air resistance or engine force may also be included.

5. How does the acceleration of the truck at a red light affect the forces shown in the free-body diagram?

The acceleration of the truck at a red light affects the forces shown in the free-body diagram by changing the net force acting on the truck. If the truck is accelerating, the net force will be in the direction of the acceleration, meaning that the forces represented in the diagram will be unbalanced. This can cause the truck to either speed up or slow down, depending on the direction of the acceleration.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
16K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
12K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
24
Views
5K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
14K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
2K
Back
Top