Force, speed of truck on a 10.0 degree hill

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a truck's speed on inclined hills, specifically comparing its maximum speed on a 5.0° slope to a 10.0° slope. The truck's mass, forces acting on it, and the effects of air resistance and friction are considered in the context of physics principles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to analyze forces acting on the truck using free body diagrams and equations of motion. They express uncertainty in relating force calculations to velocity. Some participants suggest considering the power delivered by the truck as a potential approach.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different angles, including the concept of power in relation to the truck's performance on inclines. The original poster acknowledges a gap in their understanding of power, prompting them to review relevant textbook material.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that the question is from a previous exam and that their course has not covered the topic of power, which may limit their ability to fully engage with the problem.

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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