What is the minimum stopping distance for a car on a wet road?

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SUMMARY

The minimum stopping distance for a car traveling at 50.0 mi/h on a wet road with a coefficient of static friction of 0.100 is determined using the formula for stopping distance, which incorporates acceleration due to friction. The mass of the car is irrelevant as it cancels out in the calculations. For a dry surface with a coefficient of static friction of 0.600, the stopping distance significantly decreases. This analysis confirms the critical role of friction in vehicle stopping distances.

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A car is traveling at 50.0 mi/h on a horizontal highway. If the coefficient of static friction between road and tires on a rainy day is 0.100, what is the minimum distance in which the car will stop? What is the stopping distance when the surface is dry and the coefficient of static friction is 0.600?

I'm uncertain how to solve this question because the only relationships between the coefficient of friction and acceleration that I'm aware of require knowing the normal force, and this question does not give the normal force or the mass of the object so the normal force can be calculated.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Steve
 
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Don't give up so easily. Call the mass of the car "m" and see what happens. If information is not given, perhaps it's not needed. :wink:
 
Figured out "m" cancels out in the equation. Got the correct answer now. Thanks Doc!

Steve
 

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