Calculate the magnitude of driving force on the car

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The discussion focuses on calculating the driving force acting on a car, with various participants analyzing the forces involved. The driving force (D) is derived from the equation D - F = 850 × 0.3, leading to a final value of 2272.25 N after considering the force resisting motion (F) and the force parallel to the road (F1). Participants clarify the roles of different forces, including gravitational force and normal force, in the context of Newton's second law. There is some confusion regarding the notation for normal force, with suggestions to use consistent symbols throughout the calculations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurately identifying and accounting for all forces acting on the car to ensure correct calculations.
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Homework Statement
A car of mass ##850## kg is travelling with acceleration ##0.3 m/s^2##, up a straight road inclined at ##12^0## to the horizontal. There is a force resisting motion of ##250## N. Calculate the magnitude of the driving force.
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Resolving forces- Mechanics
My approach is as follows, let ##D## be driving force and ##F## the force resisting motion, then

##D-F = 850 × 0.3##

##D = 250 + 255##

##D = 505##

Also, Force parallel to the road is given by, ##F_1 = 8500 \cos 78^0 =1767.24 N##

Therefore, the magnitude of Driving force is given by, ##F_1 + D = 2272.25 N##

your insight is welcome...not sure on this...
 
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How many forces act on the car?
 
When you apply Newton's 2nd law, take all the forces into account.
 
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Since we are interested in the driving force then, before motion ( that is at equilibrium ) ##a=0##

##F_0 - 8500 \cos 78^0 = 0##

##F_0=1767.25## N


we know that the Force resisting motion ( car now in motion)= 250 N. Therefore,


##F_1 - 250= ma ##

##F_1= (850 × 0.3 )+250##

##F_1= 505## N

Therefore,

Driving force ##D=F_0 +F_1 = 1767.25+ 505= 2272.25## N

Of course i could be wrong...it is a new area for me ....cheers.
 
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chwala said:
Since we are interested in the driving force then, before motion ( that is at equilibrium ) ##a=0##

##F_0 - 8500 \cos 78^0 = 0##

##F_0=1767.25## N


we know that the Force resisting motion ( car now in motion)= 250 N. Therefore,


##F_1 - 250= ma ##

##F_1= (850 × 0.3 )+250##

##F_1= 505## N

Therefore,

Driving force ##D=F_0 +F_1 = 1767.25+ 505= 2272.25## N

Of course i could be wrong...it is a new area for me ....cheers.
I agree with final answer but do you know what ##F_0## is?
If you ask me It is better to use post #4 to identify net force acting on car in terms of ##D## and ##F## and ##mg##.
 
MatinSAR said:
I agree with final answer but do you know what ##F_0## is?
That should be the vertical force i.e acting perpendiculor to the road. ...let me check on this ..what i have on my textbook notes is a bit confusing...see the attachment ...
 

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Last edited:
chwala said:
That should be the vertical force i.e acting perpendiculor to the road. ...let me check on this ..what i have on my textbook notes is a bit confusing...see the attachment ...
But what causes this force? It's interesting that your book doesn't mention it! Look at digram in post #4. It's the gravitational force.
2024_02_12 1_23 PM Office Lens.jpg


In your solution ##F_0=mgsin \theta ##.
 
MatinSAR said:
But what causes this force? It's interesting that your book doesn't mention it! Look at digram in post #4. It's the gravitational force.
View attachment 340203
aaaargh i think i've seen it.

##\cos 72^0 = \dfrac{mg}{8500}## therefore ##mg = 1767.25## N
 
  • #10
chwala said:
aaaargh i think i've seen it.

##\cos 72^0 = \dfrac{mg}{8500}## therefore ##mg = 1767.25## N
No. Rethink.
 
  • #11
mg has 2 components. One perpendicular to the surface and one parallel to the surface.
##mgcos 72 ## is one of the components.
 
  • #12
I can have my equation as,

##D= R+F+ma##

and noting that

##[ \cos 78^0 = \sin 12^0]##

then,

##D= mg \cos 78^0 + 250+ 255 = 2272.25##N
 
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  • #13
chwala said:
I think in my book ##mg## is what they are calling ##N## and ##R-N=0## and ##N## using the right angle triangle is given by ##\cos 72^0 = \dfrac{N}{8500}##.

Do confirm again on this.
Your book doesn't use ##N##. It used ##R## to show the normal force.
Let's solve the problems one by one. For question in post #7:
2024_02_12 1_57 PM Office Lens.jpg

If there is any problem I'll be happy to help
 
  • #14
chwala said:
I can have my equation as,

##D= R+F+ma##

and noting that

##[ \cos 78^0 = \sin 12^0]##

then,

##D= mg \cos 78^0 + 250+ 255 = 2272.25##N
I guess you're answering question in post #1 now. Is everything clear with question in post #7?
What is ##R## in your solution? If it is the normal force then you are wrong. See post #8 and note that I've showed normal force using ## N## instead of ##R##.
 
  • #15
MatinSAR said:
I guess you're answering question in post #1 now. Is everything clear with question in post #7?
What is ##R## in your solution? If it is the normal force then you are wrong. See post #8 and note that I've showed normal force using ## N## instead of ##R##.
... Let me check and go through the literature... will get back in a few hours...
 
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  • #16
MatinSAR said:
Your book doesn't use ##N##. It used ##R## to show the normal force.
Let's solve the problems one by one. For question in post #7:
View attachment 340206
If there is any problem I'll be happy to help
This part is now clear; i was mixing up the two forces...now using my attachment in post ##7## as reference, it is clear that the force acting parallel to the ramp is given by:
Firstly, ##F=ma## since the crate is at rest then ##a=0##.
now
There are two opposing forces that will enable equilibrium, let me have them as,
##F_1 - F_0 =0## where ##F_1## is the frictional force. ##F_1## makes an angle ##θ## with the parallel direction ##F_0## where ##F_0## using pythagoras theorem is given by ##F_0=300 \cos 72^0## or ##F_0 = 300\sin 18^0##.
Similarly, the force acting perpendicularly to the ramp is given by:
##R -N=0## where ##R## is the Normal contact force and ##N## is the force acting perpendicularly to ramp,
##N=300 \cos 18^0## using the pythagoras theorem. From here the steps to solution are straightforward.

Now to my problem, using Newton's second law of motion, i shall have,

##D-F_1 -F_0 =ma##

##D-250-8500 \cos 78^0 = 850×0.3## or

##D-250-8500 \sin 12^0 = 850×0.3##

##D=250+1767.25+255##

##D=2272.25##N.

Cheers man!
 
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