Draw vectors for a car being dragged along a ramp

  • Thread starter Thread starter RUphysics3
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Car Ramp Vectors
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on analyzing the forces acting on a 1070-kg car positioned on a frictionless ramp inclined at 25.0 degrees. Participants emphasize the importance of accurately representing the tension vector from the cable, the weight vector acting downward, and the normal force perpendicular to the ramp. The concept of thrust is debated, with consensus that since the car is stationary, thrust is effectively zero in this scenario. The discussion highlights the necessity of understanding vector orientation and the implications of a frictionless surface in force analysis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Knowledge of vector representation in physics
  • Familiarity with force components: tension, weight, and normal force
  • Basic concepts of frictionless surfaces in mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study vector resolution in physics problems
  • Learn about the implications of frictionless surfaces on force analysis
  • Explore the concept of thrust in relation to vehicle dynamics
  • Review Newton's second law and its application in static and dynamic scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and force analysis, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to vectors and forces in a frictionless environment.

RUphysics3
Messages
24
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A 1070-kg car is held in place by a light cable on a very smooth (frictionless) ramp, as shown in the figure(Figure 1) . The cable makes an angle of 31.0 ∘above the surface of the ramp, and the ramp itself rises at 25.0 ∘ above the horizontal.
[/B]
http://imgur.com/gkOQuRq

"Draw the force vectors with their tails at the front bumper of the car. The location and orientation of your vectors will be graded. The exact length of your vectors will not be graded."

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


The problem states "a frictionless surface", so i didn't add a friction vector. Tension can only be in the cable( as far as i know?) so i put a tension vector along the cable. The weight vector i put straight down, and the normal vector perpendicular to the surface. I figured that the car is being dragged along the ramp, so i put a thrust vector along the dotted line. It looks like this as of now

http://imgur.com/Geg71cj

I only have two attempts remaining. I've tried a lot of different methods.. The only thing I can think of at this point is to take out the thrust vector and see if that works.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
RUphysics3 said:
The only thing I can think of at this point is to take out the thrust vector and see if that works.

How does thrust propel a car? Is friction between the tires and the road surface involved?
 
Mister T said:
How does thrust propel a car? Is friction between the tires and the road surface involved?
I don't know, we didn't even learn about thrust. When I go to add vectors, i can choose from thrust force, weight, tension force, normal force and friction force. I think because it says the surface is a frictionless ramp that I shouldn't include the friction force..I already tried taking the thrust vector out and that was wrong too. i feel like I am out of viable options?
 
RUphysics3 said:
I don't know, we didn't even learn about thrust.

Uhhh... When you say "we" do you really mean "I"? You really don't know what force propels a car, and you don't know if friction has anything to do with it?

I already tried taking the thrust vector out and that was wrong too. i feel like I am out of viable options?

It looks like ##\vec{T}## is not quite at the right angle. I don't know if that's the problem.
 
Mister T said:
Uhhh... When you say "we" do you really mean "I"? You really don't know what force propels a car, and you don't know if friction has anything to do with it?
It looks like ##\vec{T}## is not quite at the right angle. I don't know if that's the problem.
I mean in the class, we didn't go over thrust. Sorry lol. Well a normal car it would be related to the engine, this car is being held by the cable. Actually, because the car isn't moving, is there no thrust at all?
 
RUphysics3 said:
Actually, because the car isn't moving, is there no thrust at all?
Thrust is just another word for force, though it is usually reserved for a push rather than a pull, and specifically for the driving force produced by an engine.
As you say, the car is merely being held in place, so the three forces you described initially are all there are. Since the ramp is frictionless, the car has no means of producing a thrust anyway.
 
haruspex said:
Since the ramp is frictionless, the car has no means of producing a thrust anyway.

And that, not the fact that the car is motionless, is the reason why the thrust is zero.

Think about a drag race between a Ferrari and a Civic. The Civic is on dry pavement and the Ferrari is on wet ice.
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
20K
Replies
26
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
15K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K