Calculating Deceleration on an Uphill Road

In summary, the conversation is discussing a problem involving a car decelerating on a level road and an uphill road. The first scenario involves friction as the only decelerating force, while the second scenario involves both friction and a component of the force of gravity. To solve for the magnitude of deceleration on the uphill road, the coefficient of static friction can be determined from the first scenario and used to calculate the net force on the car. A diagram of the forces and considering the angles they act on the car can help with understanding the problem.
  • #1
lokal704
10
0
This is the first time I have encountered a problem like this, and have no idea how to set it up, let alone solve it. Any help would be great.

Homework Statement



A car can decelerate at -5.00 m/s2 without skidding when coming to rest on a level road. What would be the magnitude of its deceleration if the road were inclined at 10° uphill? Assume the same static friction coefficient.
__________m/s2


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
It looks like in the first scenario friction is providing the decelerating force while in the second scenario both friction and a component of the force of gravity are slowing the car down.

You can solve for the coefficient of static friction when the car is simply decelerating on a level rode (mass will cancel out so you do not need to know the car's mass) and use it to solve the net force on the car that is on the incline. (which then can be used to find the acceleration using Newton's second F = ma)
 
  • #3
I'm still confused, and have no idea what I'm doing.
 
  • #4
lokal704 said:
I'm still confused, and have no idea what I'm doing.

Try drawing a diagram of all the forces acting on the car in both examples. There should only be two - gravity and braking force (friction). Consider the angles the forces act on the car in each example.

Once you have that, see if MATdaveLACK's post will make more sense.
 

1. How do you calculate deceleration on an uphill road?

To calculate deceleration on an uphill road, you will need to use the formula: a = (vf - vi)/t, where a is the acceleration, vf is the final velocity, vi is the initial velocity, and t is the time it takes to change from vi to vf. This formula can be used for both uphill and downhill roads.

2. What factors affect deceleration on an uphill road?

The main factor that affects deceleration on an uphill road is the grade of the road. The steeper the grade, the greater the deceleration will be. Other factors that can affect deceleration include the weight of the vehicle, the condition of the road surface, and any external forces such as wind resistance.

3. Can deceleration on an uphill road be negative?

Yes, deceleration on an uphill road can be negative. This means that the vehicle is still moving in the uphill direction, but at a decreasing speed. This is commonly seen when a car is going up a hill and then starts to slow down before reaching the top.

4. How does the weight of a vehicle affect deceleration on an uphill road?

The weight of a vehicle can significantly affect deceleration on an uphill road. The heavier the vehicle, the more force is required to move it up the hill, resulting in a greater deceleration. This is why larger vehicles, such as trucks, may decelerate more on an uphill road compared to smaller vehicles.

5. How can deceleration on an uphill road be used in real-life scenarios?

Deceleration on an uphill road can be used in real-life scenarios to calculate the braking distance needed when driving on a steep hill. It can also be used to determine the appropriate gear to use when going up a hill to prevent the vehicle from decelerating too quickly. Additionally, understanding deceleration on an uphill road can help with fuel efficiency by allowing drivers to adjust their speed to minimize deceleration and save gas.

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