Calculating Car Speed: Using Skid Marks and Friction Coefficient

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The discussion focuses on calculating the initial speed of a car based on skid mark length and the coefficient of kinetic friction. The skid mark measured 81 meters, and the coefficient of kinetic friction between rubber and pavement is 0.70. Using Newton's second law and kinematic equations, the initial speed was calculated to be 33.34 m/s. The key formula derived was v_0 = √(2(μ_k g)(Δx)), leading to the final result.

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ok, i have a problem and its answer, but I am not sure how to get the answer:
Police lieutenants, examining the scene of an accident involving two cars, measure the skid marks of one of the cars, which nearly came to a stop before colliding, to be 81 m long. The coefficient of kinetic friction between rubber and the pavement is about 0.70. Estimate the initial speed of that car assuming a level road.
the answer is 33.34.
I can't figure out how to get that answer.
 
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Essentially, this is a problem with requires the use of kinematics and Newton's second law.
The only force acting on the car (neglecting things like drag) is the force of the friction, [tex]F_k[/tex]
Now, we know that [tex]F_k = \mu _k N[/tex]
Here, the normal force [tex]N = mg[/tex]
Now, let us substitute N into [tex]F_k[/tex]:
[tex]F_k = \mu _k mg[/tex]
From Newton's second law we know that: [tex]F_{net} = ma[/tex]
But since we know that the only force acting on the car is [tex]F_k[/tex], we can substitute [tex]F_k[/tex] for [tex]F_{net}[/tex]. We get:
[tex]F_k = ma[/tex]
[tex]\mu _k mg = ma[/tex]
Canceling the m-s out,
[tex]\mu _k g = a[/tex]
Now, let us use kinematics equations:
[tex]v_f^2 = v_0^2 + 2a(\Delta x)[/tex]
From which we get,
[tex]v_0 = \sqrt{2a(\Delta x) - v_f^2}[/tex]
Substituting for a
[tex]v_0 = \sqrt{2(mu _k g)(\Delta x) - v_f^2}[/tex]
Substituting our givens,
[tex]v_0 = \sqrt{2(0.70)(9.81)(81) - 0}[/tex]
[tex]v_0 = 33.34[/tex]
QDE

Hope this helped.
 
Last edited:
yes thank you.
 

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