How Long Does It Take for a Car to Stop with Friction After Engine Shutdown?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the time it takes for a car to stop after the engine is turned off, given an initial acceleration and a frictional force. The subject area includes kinematics and dynamics, particularly focusing on motion under constant acceleration and the effects of friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial conditions of the car's motion, including acceleration and mass. There are attempts to calculate the stopping time using the equations of motion, with some questioning the practicality of the resulting time. Others point out potential errors in the presentation of the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on the calculations and questioning the assumptions made. Some guidance has been offered regarding the formatting of equations, but no consensus on the final answer has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted concern about the practicality of the calculated stopping time, suggesting that the assumptions or parameters may need reevaluation. The problem is framed within a homework context, which may impose certain constraints on the approach taken.

Troubadour
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


If the engine of a car provides an acceleration of 2ms-2 to start it from rest, assuming the mass to be roughly 1000kg, calculate the time after which the car comes to rest if the engine is turned off after 15 seconds and the frictional force is 15N)

Homework Equations


v=u + at
F= m*a

The Attempt at a Solution


v= 0 + (2)(15) = 30ms-1
F= m*a = -15N= 1000 * a
Therefore, acc. caused by friction= (-15)/1000= -0.015
v=u+at, but car comes to rest, so v = 0
0= 30 +(-0.015)(t) = 2000sec

I'm not really sure of the answer as it seems to be quite impractical (:P).
Thanks.
~Troubadour
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Looks like you did it right.

Other than writing
0= 30 +(-0.015)(t) = 2000sec
which is technically wrong since 0 != 2000sec. You should put t=2000s on a separate line
 
spl-083902 said:
Looks like you did it right.

Other than writing
0= 30 +(-0.015)(t) = 2000sec
which is technically wrong since 0 != 2000sec. You should put t=2000s on a separate line
Oops...I didn't quite notice that...Thanks a lot for your help!
 
Troubadour said:

Homework Statement


If the engine of a car provides an acceleration of 2ms-2 to start it from rest, assuming the mass to be roughly 1000kg, calculate the time after which the car comes to rest if the engine is turned off after 15 seconds and the frictional force is 15N)

Homework Equations


v=u + at
F= m*a

The Attempt at a Solution


v= 0 + (2)(15) = 30ms-1
F= m*a = -15N= 1000 * a
Therefore, acc. caused by friction= (-15)/1000= -0.015
v=u+at, but car comes to rest, so v = 0
0= 30 +(-0.015)(t) = 2000sec

I'm not really sure of the answer as it seems to be quite impractical :)P).
Thanks.
~Troubadour

You missed the obvious solution. If you apply an accelerating force of 2000N for 15secs, how long do you have to apply a decelerating force of 15N to return to rest?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
16K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K