What Forces Act on a Car at Constant Speed and While Decelerating?

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In summary, when a car is traveling at a steady speed on level ground, the forces acting on it include normal force, gravitational force, the applied force of the car, and force of friction. In the case of the car slowing down, the forces acting on it include normal force, gravitational force, and force of friction. This is because even though the car is decelerating, there is still a force being applied by the car, although it is less than the force of friction. The normal force and gravitational force cancel each other out, but they still need to be listed as forces acting on the car.
  • #1
05holtel
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Homework Statement



1) Identify all of the forces acting on you as the car travels at a perfectly steady speed on level ground

2) Repeat part 1 with the car slowing down.


Homework Equations



N/a

The Attempt at a Solution



1)The forces acting on the car at constant velocity include:
A normal force, gravitational force, the applied force of the car, Force of friction

Please note that in order for the car to travel at constant speed, Normal Force = Gravitational Force, and the applied force of the car = Force of friction

2) The forces acting on the decelerating car include
A normal force, gravitational force, Force of friction

Is this correct?
 
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  • #2
In the second situation, there is still a force that is the car is applying ; It is simply less than the frictional force.
 
  • #3
Wouldnt the gravitational force and normal force just cancel each other out because the car is not moving up or down into the road...?
 
  • #4
They would cancel each other out, but you still have to list them as forces acting on the car.
 

What is a force?

A force is a push or pull that can cause an object to accelerate, change direction, or deform. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

What are the different types of forces?

There are four fundamental forces: gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear. In everyday situations, we often encounter contact forces, such as friction, tension, and normal force.

What is Newton's first law of motion?

Newton's first law of motion, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will continue moving at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.

How do forces affect the motion of an object?

Forces can cause an object to change its speed or direction of motion. When multiple forces act on an object, their combined effect determines the object's resulting motion.

What is the difference between weight and mass?

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, while weight is a measure of the force of gravity acting on an object. Mass is constant, while weight can vary depending on the strength of the gravitational field.

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