Calculate force of friction on car as it rolls across

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the force of friction on a toy car as it rolls across a flat floor, with specific parameters such as mass, time, and displacement provided. The context includes an experiment involving a mousetrap car.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations related to displacement, velocity, and acceleration, questioning whether the force of friction should be calculated using a specific equation. There is also a focus on the completeness of the problem statement and the implications of the surface being described as "smooth."

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided clarifications regarding the problem statement and the context of the experiment. There is acknowledgment of the calculations being correct, but questions remain about the assumptions made regarding the surface and the conditions under which measurements were taken.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the car comes to a stop after traveling the specified distance, and there is discussion about the timing and distance measurements being taken after the mousetrap has ceased to provide power.

SelenaT
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Homework Statement


Calculate the force of friction on a toy car as it rolls across a flat floor.

Given:
mass = 0.293kg
time = 3.66 s
displacement = 8.7

Homework Equations



Fnet = mass x acceleration

displacement = [(velocity1 + velocity2)/2] time

velocity2 = velocity1 + acceleration(time)

The Attempt at a Solution


Step 1[/B]
displacement = [(velocity1 + velocity2)/2] time
v2 = (2d/time) - v1
= 2(8.7m)/3.66s - 0m/s
= 4.75m/s

Step 2
velocity2 = velocity1 + acceleration(time)
a = v2-v1 / time
= 4.75/3.66
= 1.29m/s^2

Step 3
F=ma
= 0.293kg x 1.29m/s^2
= 0.38N

so the force of friction on the car is 0.38N ?

I am unsure if this is right and if i have to use the Force of friction = μ x N equation
 
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The problem statement is incomplete. Please copy the entire question word for word.

Your working implies you have more information than you've posted...
 
billy_joule said:
The problem statement is incomplete. Please copy the entire question word for word.

Your working implies you have more information than you've posted...

Will remember to add background of the question.

"Calculate the force of friction on your car as it rolls across a smooth level surface."

Not sure why it says smooth level surface since there was friction between the car and the floor but...

This is a follow up question to an experiment we did. We had to make a mousetrap car so the car was powered only by the mousetrap. The mass of my car is 0.293kg and it traveled 8.7 m in 3.66 seconds across a flat floor.
 
Ok. The missing information is that the car comes to a stop after traveling the 8.7 metres.

What you've done is correct.
 
SelenaT said:
Will remember to add background of the question.

"Calculate the force of friction on your car as it rolls across a smooth level surface."

Not sure why it says smooth level surface since there was friction between the car and the floor but...

This is a follow up question to an experiment we did. We had to make a mousetrap car so the car was powered only by the mousetrap. The mass of my car is 0.293kg and it traveled 8.7 m in 3.66 seconds across a flat floor.
Are the distance and time measured from a point where the mousetrap has ceased to supply any power?
 
haruspex said:
Are the distance and time measured from a point where the mousetrap has ceased to supply any power?
yes
 
SelenaT said:
yes
Ok
 

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