How to Calculate Acceleration and Force in a Car

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the time for a 3100 kg car to accelerate from 20 m/s to 40 m/s with a maximum acceleration of 3.0 m/s², it takes approximately 6.67 seconds. The net force responsible for the car's acceleration, considering a 4000 N opposing force from air friction, is calculated to be 9700 N. The force that accelerates the car is primarily exerted by the engine, which causes the tires to rotate and generate friction with the road. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding Newton's second law (F=ma) in solving these problems. Overall, the calculations emphasize the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in automotive physics.
cheerspens
Messages
92
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


a) A 3100 kg car can accelerate with a maximum acceleration of 3.0 m/s2.
How long will it take this car to go from a velocity of 20 m/s to 40 m/s?

b) If there is a 4000 N force do to air friction opposing the car's motion, what is the strength of the force responsible for the car's acceleration?

c) What object exerts the force that accelerates the car?

Homework Equations


FNET=ma
x=xo+vot+.5at2
v=vo+at


The Attempt at a Solution


a) I got an answer of 6.67sec.

b) I got an answer of 9700 N.

c) The tires? Because of friction?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
What causes the car to move in the first place is what I think they are asking for part c.
 
The road?
 
cheerspens said:
The road?

Or it could be the engine causing the tires to rotate.
 

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

Final Velocity of a car with a opposing decreasing drag force
2
Replies
57
Views
2K
Forces when car wheels "lay rubber"
Replies
5
Views
2K
Calculate the Acceleration of this Car
Replies
7
Views
985
How Do You Calculate Race Car Acceleration and Power Output?
Replies
20
Views
2K
Is My Calculation of Centripetal Acceleration and Tangential Velocity Correct?
Replies
12
Views
1K
Car Crash Analysis: Analyzing Friction & Speed
Replies
9
Views
4K
Radial & Tangential Acceleration of a Car at Indianapolis 500 | Physics Solution
Replies
7
Views
4K
Calculating max acceleration of a Tesla car
Replies
11
Views
3K
Calculation of Box's Acceleration on a Trailer with Friction
Replies
9
Views
1K
How Do I Determine Force of Static Friction on a Rolling Car
Replies
15
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top