Calculating Mass, Force, and Acceleration of a Car

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the mass, net force, and acceleration of a car based on the forces acting on it. The car's wheels exert a downward force of 4.0 x 10³ N each, totaling 16.0 x 10³ N, indicating the car's weight. The net force is determined by subtracting the frictional resistance of 6.0 x 10³ N from the driving force of 8.0 x 10³ N, resulting in a net force of 2.0 x 10³ N [W]. Participants clarify that the force from the tires on the road does not need to be included in the net force calculation. The conversation emphasizes understanding the relationship between these forces to solve the physics problem accurately.
xdeanna
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Each of the four wheels of a car pushes on the road with a force of 4.0 x 10³ N [down]. The driving force on the car is 8.0 x 10³ N [W]. The frictional resistance on the car is 6.0 x 10³ N [E]. Calculate the following:
(a) mass of the car
(b) net force on the car
(c) car's acceleration

For Fnet, would u also add 4(4.0 x 10³ N [up]) to the rest of vectors to cancel out the force all the tires have on the road? Or:
8.0 x 10³ N [W] + 6.0 x 10³ N [E]= 2.0 x 10³ N [W]

2.0 x 10³ N [W] + 4(4.0 x 10³ N [down])= Fnet
?!

I just did all that on my phone.. I'm desperate for some help :(
 
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xdeanna said:
Each of the four wheels of a car pushes on the road with a force of 4.0 x 10³ N [down]. The driving force on the car is 8.0 x 10³ N [W]. The frictional resistance on the car is 6.0 x 10³ N [E]. Calculate the following:
(a) mass of the car
(b) net force on the car
(c) car's acceleration

For Fnet, would u also add 4(4.0 x 10³ N [up]) to the rest of vectors to cancel out the force all the tires have on the road? Or:
8.0 x 10³ N [W] + 6.0 x 10³ N [E]= 2.0 x 10³ N [W]

2.0 x 10³ N [W] + 4(4.0 x 10³ N [down])= Fnet
?!

I just did all that on my phone.. I'm desperate for some help :(

I am led to believe that the entire mass of the car is supported by the wheels alone.

So yes the entire weight is 4(4x103) N, so the mass of the car is ?
 


rock.freak667 said:
I am led to believe that the entire mass of the car is supported by the wheels alone.

So yes the entire weight is 4(4x103) N, so the mass of the car is ?

m= 1.6 x 104 N

but what about Fnet
 


xdeanna said:
m= 1.6 x 104 N

but what about Fnet

There is a driving force and a resistance to the driving force, so what should be the net force between these two?
 


rock.freak667 said:
There is a driving force and a resistance to the driving force, so what should be the net force between these two?

so i don't have to worry about the force of the tires on the road?

Fnet=8.0 x 10³ N [W] + 6.0 x 10³ N [E]
Fnet= 2.0 x 10³ N [W]
 


xdeanna said:
so i don't have to worry about the force of the tires on the road?

Fnet=8.0 x 10³ N [W] - 6.0 x 10³ N [E]
Fnet= 2.0 x 10³ N [W]

you mean negative here


But yes that should be correct.
 

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