Calculating v from v0, frictional coefficients, and angle

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the final speed of a car sliding down a hill, taking into account initial speed, frictional coefficients, and the angle of the slope. The context includes a scenario where car A collides with car B after sliding a certain distance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations involving forces, friction, and kinematics. There are questions about the choice of positive direction for velocity and acceleration, as well as the signs used in the equations. Some participants verify the results of the quadratic formula and the implications of negative time values.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants engaging in clarifying assumptions and verifying calculations. There is acknowledgment of a mistake in the quadratic solution process, leading to a recalculation that yielded positive results.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may impose specific methods or formats for solving the problem. The discussion includes checking the validity of assumptions related to direction and signs in the equations.

rockchalk1312
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You testify as an expert witness in a case involving an accident in which car A slid into the rear of car B, which was stopped at a red light along a road headed down a hill. You find that the slope of the hill is θ = 12.0°, that the cars were separated by distance d = 23.0 m when the driver of car A put the car into a slide (it lacked any automatic anti-brake-lock system), and that the speed of car A at the onset of braking was v0 = 20.0 m/s. With what speed did car A hit car B if the coefficient of kinetic friction was (a) 0.560 (dry road surface) and (b) 0.190 (road surface covered with wet leaves)?equations:
Fn=mg
Fk=μkFn
x-xo=volt-(1/2)at^2attempt at solution:
Fn=mgcos12
=(9.8)(cos12)(m)
=9.59m

fk=μkFn
fk-mgsin12=ma
μkgcos12-gsin12=a
(.560)(9.8)(cos12)-(9.8)(sin12)=a
a=3.33

x-xo=volt-(1/2)at^2
23=20t-(1/2)(3.33)t^2
0=-1.665t^2+20t-23

quadratic formula gave -1.288, -10.72

v=vo+at
v=20+(-3.33)(1.05)
v=16.5035

obviously can't have -t so I just plugged in +1.05 into that last equation, but I'm just trying to figure out what I did wrong because this was the wrong answer. Thank you!
 
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Which direction are you taking to be the positive direction along the slope? Do both of your signs for the initial velocity and acceleration (in the x equation) agree with your choice of positive direction?

[EDIT: Never mind, I saw a = 3.33 (positive) but you took care of the sign by inserting a negative in the x formula. Sorry]
 
Are you sure you get negative values for t when you solve the quadratic equation? I get positive values.
 
Oh--you're right! Recalculated with an online quad formula calculator and it worked. Thank you for your help!
 

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