Forces involved in making a car airborne

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the forces required for a car weighing 7420 pounds to become airborne while ascending a hill with slopes between 5 and 45 degrees at a maximum speed of 90 miles per hour. It is established that achieving airborne status is possible through specific combinations of speed and angle, which can be calculated using projectile motion equations. The simplest method to achieve this effect is by encountering a sudden drop in elevation, such as driving off a ramp, which allows the car to become airborne due to the change in ground angle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of projectile motion and parabolic trajectories
  • Basic knowledge of physics principles, including gravity and forces
  • Familiarity with slope calculations and angles
  • Ability to use graphing calculators for trajectory equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research projectile motion equations and their applications in real-world scenarios
  • Learn about the physics of ramps and elevation changes in vehicle dynamics
  • Explore the effects of speed and angle on a vehicle's trajectory
  • Study the principles of force and gravity in automotive engineering
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for automotive engineers, physics students, and enthusiasts interested in vehicle dynamics and the principles of motion related to airborne vehicles.

rathanel
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Forces involved in making a car "airborne"

This should be a fairly straightforward question.

A car with a mass of 7420 pounds is going up a hill of slope between 5 and 45 degrees. Assuming a maximum speed of 90 miles per hour, is it possible, and, if so, what speed and angle are necessary for the car to overcome the forces of gravity and become "airborne", even for a moment.

Since it is possible for there to be multiple answers, either a list of angles and speeds, or an equation for the derivation thereof would be helpful.

Thank you for your time.
 
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This is a more complicated (or simpler?) problem than you may realize. Since a projectile flies in a parabola shaped trajectory, all that's required is for the hill to be curved inside the trajectory of the car. You can pick the angle and speed, plug it into the trajectory equation and graph it on a calculator. I don't remember the equation offhand - I'm sure someone will derive it for you.

The easiest way to get a car airborne though is for the ground to drop out from under it - so any sudden change in the angle of the street (or elevation change) will do it. Like on a ramp - drive over the edge and you're airborne.
 

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