New Reply

Need Help Creating a Free Body Diagram of a Car on a Slope

 
Share Thread Thread Tools
Jul2-11, 03:42 PM   #1
 

Need Help Creating a Free Body Diagram of a Car on a Slope


Hello. I have attached an image of a free body diagram of a car traveling up a ramp at 30 degrees. I was wondering if anyone can help me determine the sumation of forces in the X and Y direction.

I understand that the forces in the Y-direction must be equal to zero or else the car will not stay on the ground. This is the formula I have come up with for this problem:

u = coeff. of friction

FN = mg / cos30

Fu = u x FN

F = force the car is moving under its own power

Sum of Forces in Y direction: FN x cos30 - mg = 0

Is this the correct equation for finding the forces in the Y direction?

Sum of Forces in X direction: F - Fu - (mg x sin30) = ma


Is this the correct equation for finding the forces in the X direction?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!
Attached Thumbnails
Free Body Diagram.jpg  
PhysOrg.com
PhysOrg
science news on PhysOrg.com

>> Galaxies fed by funnels of fuel
>> The better to see you with: Scientists build record-setting metamaterial flat lens
>> Google eyes emerging markets networks
Jul2-11, 04:23 PM   #2
 
Blog Entries: 27
Recognitions:
Gold Membership Gold Member
Homework Helper Homework Help
Science Advisor Science Advisor
hello mjgarrin! welcome to pf!

(have a mu: µ and a theta: θ and a degree: ° )

first, your free body diagram is wrong, the mgcosθ is not a separate force and should not be there
Quote by mjgarrin View Post
Sum of Forces in Y direction: FN x cos30 - mg = 0

Is this the correct equation for finding the forces in the Y direction?
no, the FN x cos30° and the mg are not in the Y direction, are they?
Sum of Forces in X direction: F - Fu - (mg x sin30) = ma

Is this the correct equation for finding the forces in the X direction?
yes
Jul2-11, 07:45 PM   #3
 


See HPWizard.com for more info (At the bottom of the page --> Theory»»Longitudinal acceleration»»Accelerating»»Hill climbing)
New Reply
Thread Tools


Similar Threads for: Need Help Creating a Free Body Diagram of a Car on a Slope
Thread Forum Replies
Situation diagram and free body diagram General Physics 1
Help on Free Body Diagram Introductory Physics Homework 6
Free Body Diagram? Introductory Physics Homework 3
Free-body diagram Introductory Physics Homework 1
Free-Body Diagram Introductory Physics Homework 2