Balance of a car on an inclined plane

AI Thread Summary
A discussion revolves around calculating the force required to move a 900 kg car up a 30-degree incline with an acceleration of 0.25 m/s² and a friction coefficient of 0.5. The initial calculations led to a force of 8454 N, which was later confirmed to be incorrect according to the teacher, who stated the correct answer is 12285.6 N. Participants debated the components of forces acting on the car, including friction and gravitational forces, and the need to correctly identify forces acting in the direction of acceleration. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurately applying physics equations to solve the problem. Ultimately, the correct force calculation remains a focal point of the discussion.
okh
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Homework Statement


A 900 kg car goes up along an inclined road by 30 degrees characterized by an acceleration of 0.25 m/s^2. If friction coefficient is 0.5, find the magnitude of the force that moves the car.
Solution: F = 12285.6 N


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5361/imagetcq.jpg
Sum of all forces is: m *a = 900 * 0.25 = 225
Then Ffriction is = 0.5 * FwPerpendicular = 0.5 * sin(60) * 900 * 9.8 = 3819 N
Then Fwparallel is = sin(60) * 900 * 9.8 = 4410
F = 3819 + 4410 + 225 = 8454 N != solution
 
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You are missing something :D
 
kushan said:
You are missing something :D
Do you mean in the problem statement ( :smile: ) or in my attempt?
 
are you getting 8454 ?
 
kushan said:
are you getting 8454 ?
Yes, exactly.
 
From where did you get this question
because as far as I know (:)) you are doing correctly (hopefully)
 
kushan said:
From where did you get this question
because as far as I know (:)) you are doing correctly (hopefully)
The teacher dictated us that problem. However I've just asked my schoolmates and the teacher said the solution was wrong and the right one was 8454!
 
Then why you posted this things here ( : ) ) i am still trying make a smiley smile oh god
 
okh said:
Then Ffriction is = 0.5 * FwPerpendicular = 0.5 * sin(60) * 900 * 9.8 = 3819 N
Then Fwparallel is = sin(60) * 900 * 9.8 = 4410

F = 3819 + 4410 + 225 = 8454 N != solution

FwPerpendicular is mgcos(60).
Figure out which force acts in the direction of acceleration, up along the incline and which one acts against it.

ehild
 
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