Find the distance the car travels before it stops

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the stopping distance of a car with a mass of 2000 kg traveling at 50 km/hr, given a coefficient of friction of 0.3. The key formula involves equating the work done by the frictional force to the change in kinetic energy of the car. To convert the speed from km/hr to m/s, the value is adjusted to approximately 13.89 m/s. The normal force is determined by the weight of the car, which is the product of mass and gravitational acceleration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy and work-energy principle
  • Familiarity with converting units (km/hr to m/s)
  • Basic grasp of friction and normal force concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the normal force using the formula: Normal Force = mass x gravitational acceleration
  • Learn to apply the work-energy principle to solve for stopping distance
  • Explore the relationship between frictional force and acceleration
  • Investigate how to convert between different units of speed effectively
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in understanding vehicle dynamics and stopping distances.

scoles
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A car wants to stop. The coefficient of friction is 0.3 and the mass of the car is 2000 kg. The car is traveling at 50 km/hr. Find the distance the car travels before it stops.

I know that the force of friction= the coefficient of friction x the normal force. I also know that I need to change 50 km/hr to m/s. I can't quite figure out how to find the normal force on this one(would i subtract friction from it or add it or what), and I don't see how I could find the distance it would take to stop because I do not know the time or the acceleration. Please help!
 
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The work of the frictional force must equal the change of kinetic energy of the car, start with that.
 
radou said:
The work of the frictional force must equal the change of kinetic energy of the car, start with that.

so does that mean that the force of friction equals the change in velocity?
 

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