Flatbed truck going round a circular road on an incline

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the forces acting on a flatbed truck navigating a circular road on an incline. The focus is on deriving equations related to the normal force and frictional force based on the summation of forces in different directions.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the derivation of equations for the normal force (N) and frictional force (Fn) from the initial equations of motion. There is confusion regarding the algebraic manipulation required to solve simultaneous equations.

Discussion Status

Some participants are actively attempting to solve the equations but are encountering difficulties with their algebraic steps. One participant has identified a mistake in their calculations, while another has successfully found their error. The discussion reflects a mix of exploration and clarification of mathematical processes without reaching a consensus on the solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the extent of guidance provided. There is an emphasis on understanding the algebraic steps rather than simply arriving at the final answer.

whdahl
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Homework Statement


The problem statement is in the attachments.

Homework Equations


F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution



I uploaded the solution to the problem. I have had no trouble deriving the first two equations for the summation of forces in the x, n and t directions, however I am having trouble understanding the algebra involved in the solution, specifically where it says, "Solve the first two equations for N and Fn to obtain:", then it lists the equations for N and Fn. I can't figure out how they derived those two equations for N and Fn from the first two equations.
flatbed-1.JPG
flatbed-1.JPG
flatbed-2.JPG
 
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Solve the first two equations for N and Fn to obtain:", then it lists the equations for N and Fn. I can't figure out how they derived those two equations for N
... they did exactly what was described - they too the first two equations... these were:
$$N\cos(10^\circ)-F_{n'}\sin(10^\circ) - mg = 0\\
F_{n'}\cos(10^\circ) + N\sin(10^\circ) = m\frac{2t^2}{30}$$ ... do you not know how to solve simultaneous equations?
 
I know how to solve simultaneous equations, but I am not getting the solution they show in this case. Solving one of the equations for Fn or N and substituting that in the second equation will allow you to eliminate one of the variables. However I am not getting the solutions they provide, I am getting jumbles of sin squared's over cosines and tangents...
 
Last edited:
Please show your working.
 
I don't see where my mistake is, but I've ended up with an extra [tex]cos(10)[/tex] in the final answer.
 

Attachments

  • photo(1).JPG
    photo(1).JPG
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Literally the moment I sent that, I found my mistake. I did not carry the [tex]\frac{mgsin10}{cos10}[/tex] over correctly.
 
Well done.
Note: if you put a backslash before the name of the trig function in LaTeX, it will typeset properly.
$$\frac{mg\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}=mg\tan\theta$$
 

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