Force, speed of truck on a 10.0 degree hill

AI Thread Summary
A loaded truck with a mass of 3100 kg can maintain a maximum speed of 80 km/h on a 5.0° hill, while the total force from air resistance and friction is 700 N. To determine the constant speed on a 10.0° hill, the truck's forces must be analyzed, leading to a calculated force of 5975.4 N for the steeper slope. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the power output of the truck's engine, as it is crucial for solving the problem. The user plans to review the relevant section on power from their textbook to better understand how to approach the question. Understanding power is essential for solving the truck's speed on the 10.0° hill.
Valerie Prowse
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Homework Statement



A loaded truck has a mass of 3100 kg. The maximum speed it can maintain on a 5.0° hill is 80 km/h. What constant speed could the truck maintain on a hill with a slope of 10.0°? Assume the total force due to air resistance and friction is 700 N and that it does not vary with speed.

Homework Equations



∑F = ma

The Attempt at a Solution



I have an exam tomorrow and this is one of the practice questions. The answer is 44.8 km/h, but I have no idea how to get there. What I have worked out so far is the FBD of the truck, and:
since a = 0, for θ = 10
∑F = 0
F - Ffr - mg⋅sin10 = 0
F = Ffr + mg⋅sin10
F = 5975.4 N
and vθ=10 = ??

I am having trouble relating this back to a velocity. Also, since there is no variation in air resistance and friction, it would mean that:
for θ = 5
F = Ffr + mg⋅sin5
F = 3347.8 N
and vθ=5 = 22.2 m/s

I feel like I am almost there but I can't quite put the pieces together ... I've though about work and momentum, but those don't seem to fit with the idea of the question ...
Does anyone have an idea on where to go from here??
Thanks!
 
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Have you considered thinking in terms of the power the truck can deliver?
 
gneill said:
Have you considered thinking in terms of the power the truck can deliver?

I'm not sure what you mean by that..
 
Valerie Prowse said:
I'm not sure what you mean by that..
While the truck is climbing the 5° slope it is said to be doing the maximum speed that it can achieve on that slope. So it (or rather its engine) must be delivering the most power it can under the circumstances. Can you determine that power?
 
gneill said:
While the truck is climbing the 5° slope it is said to be doing the maximum speed that it can achieve on that slope. So it (or rather its engine) must be delivering the most power it can under the circumstances. Can you determine that power?

Ah, I see the problem. This question is from a previous exam, but my course did not cover this topic, hence why I had no idea what you meant by power. I went through my textbook and found the section on power, which was not assigned, but I will give it a quick look over and try this question again later.
Thank you for your help, though!
 
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