Calculating Braking Force and Stopping Distance for an Automobile

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the braking force and stopping distance for a 1470 kg automobile decelerating at 7.5 m/s². The magnitude of the braking force is correctly calculated as 11,025 N. The initial speed of 90 km/h (25 m/s) leads to an incorrect initial stopping distance estimate, which is clarified to be 41.66 m using the correct distance formula. The work done by the braking force is noted to be negative, indicating energy loss during braking. The calculations emphasize the importance of using the correct formulas and accounting for negative acceleration.
Sneakatone
Messages
318
Reaction score
0
With the brakes fully applied , a 1470 kg automobile decelerates at the rate of 7.5 m/s^2.
a) what is the magnitude of the breaking force acting on the automobile?
1470 *7.5=11025N ( I think this is correct)

b)if the initial speed is 90km/h (25 m/s) what is the stopping distance?
im thinking 25/7.5=3.33s
3.33*25=83.25 m

c)what is the work done by the breaking force at 90km/h.
part a) *part b)=J

d) what is the change in kinetic energy of the automobile?
1/2mv^2

I believe I know how to do the proceeding parts but I need the previous values.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sneakatone said:
a) what is the magnitude of the breaking force acting on the automobile?
1470 *7.5=11025N ( I think this is correct)
OK.

b)if the initial speed is 90km/h (25 m/s) what is the stopping distance?
im thinking 25/7.5=3.33s
3.33*25=83.25 m
Careful: The speed is not constant.
 
(b) is incorrect. The distance formula is d = v_{i}t+\frac{1}{2}at^{2}. Note that acceleration is negative in this case, and see if you can go from there.
 
if I use d = vt + (1/2)at^2
d=(25)(3.33)+1/2(-7.5)(3.33)^2
d=41.66
did I use the correct acceleration?
 
Last edited:
my distance is correct but for part c when I multiplied 41.66 * 11025N= 459301.5 J it is wrong.
 
never mind the work is negative, Thanks for the help!
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

Replies
25
Views
1K
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K