Centripetal Force + Frictional Force + Braking

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a car braking scenario where the driver must stop the vehicle before hitting a wall. Key parameters include the car's mass, initial speed, distance to the wall, and coefficients of static and kinetic friction. Participants are tasked with determining the necessary static friction to stop the car, the maximum static friction available, the speed at which the car would hit the wall if it skids, and the frictional force required to navigate a turn without collision.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations for static friction needed to stop the car and the maximum static friction available, with some confusion regarding the distinction between required and available forces.
  • There is exploration of the implications of using kinetic versus static friction during braking, with questions about the effectiveness of different braking techniques.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the correct approach to the problem and seek hints or guidance on specific parts.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their calculations and reasoning. Some have provided insights into the implications of different braking methods, while others are still working through the problem. There is no explicit consensus on the final answers, but productive dialogue is occurring around the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are operating under the assumption that the car's weight is evenly distributed and that the braking scenario involves both static and kinetic friction considerations. There is mention of potential confusion due to the wording of the problem regarding braking techniques.

Theorγ
Messages
57
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Assume that the driver of a car begins to brake his car when the distance from his car to a wall is 107 m. The mass of his car is 1400 kg, and its initial speed prior to braking is 35 m/s. The coefficient of static friction is 0.50, and assume that the car's weight is distributed evenly on the four wheels, even during braking. Based on the listed information, what are the following?:

1. What magnitude of static friction is needed to stop the car just as it reaches the wall?
2. What is the maximum possible static friction f_{s,max}?
3. If the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.40, at what speed will the driver hit the wall?
4. To avoid the crash, the driver chooses to turn the car so that it just barely misses the wall. What magnitude of frictional force would be required to keep the car in a circular path with the given distance and initial speed?
5. Is the required force less than f_{s,max} so that a circular path is possible?

Homework Equations


a_{c} = v^{2}/r
F_{net} = ma_{c}
f_{s} = m \mu_{s} F_{N}
v^{2} = v^{2}_{0} + 2 a (x - x_{0})

The Attempt at a Solution


I know this is a long problem, but for a majority of the problem, I don't know how to solve. So I'll try to go through each of them as best as I can, and if I get really stuck, I hope you guys can give me hints.

1. For this one, I just used the frictional force equation:
f_{s} = m \mu_{s} F_{N}
f_{s} = 6860 N

2. For this one, I thought that the maximum static friction was the same as above?
f_{s} = m \mu_{s} F_{N}
f_{s} = 6860 N

3. For this one, I used the kinematics equation above in conjunction with the following force equation:

f_{net} = -f_{k}
m a = m \mu_{k} F_{N}
1400 a = 1400*0.40*-9.8
a = -3.92

v^{2} = v^{2}_{0} + 2 a (x - x_{0})
v^{2} = 35^{2} + 2*-3.92(107)
v = 19.6 m/s

4. I have no clue as to what to do for this one, I'll work on this one after I finish the above.

5. I have no clue as to what to do for this one, I'll work on this one after I finish the above.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Theorγ said:

Homework Statement


Assume that the driver of a car begins to brake his car when the distance from his car to a wall is 107 m. The mass of his car is 1400 kg, and its initial speed prior to braking is 35 m/s. The coefficient of static friction is 0.50, and assume that the car's weight is distributed evenly on the four wheels, even during braking. Based on the listed information, what are the following?:

1. What magnitude of static friction is needed to stop the car just as it reaches the wall?
2. What is the maximum possible static friction f_{s,max}?
3. If the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.40, at what speed will the driver hit the wall?
4. To avoid the crash, the driver chooses to turn the car so that it just barely misses the wall. What magnitude of frictional force would be required to keep the car in a circular path with the given distance and initial speed?
5. Is the required force less than f_{s,max} so that a circular path is possible?

Homework Equations


a_{c} = v^{2}/r
F_{net} = ma_{c}
f_{s} = m \mu_{s} F_{N}
v^{2} = v^{2}_{0} + 2 a (x - x_{0})

The Attempt at a Solution


I know this is a long problem, but for a majority of the problem, I don't know how to solve. So I'll try to go through each of them as best as I can, and if I get really stuck, I hope you guys can give me hints.

1. For this one, I just used the frictional force equation:
f_{s} = m \mu_{s} F_{N}
f_{s} = 6860 N
No, this part is asking you what force is needed to stop the car, not what is avaiable. Use the kinematic equations and Newton 2.
2. For this one, I thought that the maximum static friction was the same as above?
f_{s} = m \mu_{s} F_{N}
f_{s} = 6860 N
yes, correct, but not the same as above.
3. For this one, I used the kinematics equation above in conjunction with the following force equation:

f_{net} = -f_{k}
m a = m \mu_{k} F_{N}
1400 a = 1400*0.40*-9.8
a = -3.92

v^{2} = v^{2}_{0} + 2 a (x - x_{0})
v^{2} = 35^{2} + 2*-3.92(107)
v = 19.6 m/s
this one is confusing,,,,if the driver locks the brakes immediately and the car skids, then kinetic friction applies...but the driver would be better off applying the brakes without skidding, because of higher friction force available (static), so still , she'll hit the wall, but at less speed than if she locked the brakes.
 
1. What magnitude of static friction is needed to stop the car just as it reaches the wall?

v^{2} = v^{2}_{0} + 2 a (x - x_{0})
0^{2} = 35^{2}_{0} + 2 a (107 - 0)
a = -5.72

F_{net} = ma
0 = -F_{brake} - f_{s}
f_{s} = -F_{brake}
f_{s} = -ma
f_{s} = -(1400 * -5.72)
f_{s} = 8008 N

PhanthomJay said:
this one is confusing,,,,if the driver locks the brakes immediately and the car skids, then kinetic friction applies...but the driver would be better off applying the brakes without skidding, because of higher friction force available (static), so still , she'll hit the wall, but at less speed than if she locked the brakes.

Does that mean my answer was correct?
 
Last edited:
Yes, you need 8000 N to stop the car before it hits the wall, but you only have 6860 N available..so the car will hit the wall, unless you swerve...
 
okay, then does that mean my answer for #3 is also right?
 
Theorγ said:
okay, then does that mean my answer for #3 is also right?
Only if the car locked its brakes and skidded all the way to the wall. The problem is not worded very well...if the driver was able to stop without the tires skidding (ABS Braking system), but just on the verge of skidding, then the speed would be less as she hits the wall. But I guess you are to assume kinetic friction due to the car skidding, but I don't know, but in which case your method is corrrect (I didn't check the math).
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
910
Replies
11
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
785
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K