How to Calculate Velocity with Air Drag and Given Variables?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the velocity of a car going downhill while accounting for air drag, the drag force equation F(D) = 0.5 * p * v^2 * C(D) * A is essential, where p is air density, C(D) is the drag coefficient, and A is the cross-sectional area. The problem involves known variables: final velocity (11.2 m/s), initial velocity (2.23 m/s), energy lost (21,456 J), hill length (18 m), drag coefficient (0.38), air density (1.293 kg/m^3), and rolling friction coefficient (0.020). The net forces acting on the car include rolling friction, air drag, and gravity, which need to be summed to find the overall force affecting the car's motion. The discussion highlights the challenge of isolating velocity in the drag equation, suggesting a need for further equations to relate forces and motion. Understanding the relationship between these forces is crucial for determining the car's velocity accurately.
michelle2011
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Homework Statement


I am trying to find the velocity of a car as it is going down hill. I have the final velocity which is 11.2 m/s and the initial velocity which is 2.23m/s. I have to include Air drag to get my velocity. I also know that there was 21,456 J of energy lost from up the hill to down the hill. I also know that the hill is 18 m long...Here are more variables that i was given
Coffiecient of drag: 0.38
Density of air: 1.293 kg/m^3
Cross-sectional are of car: 1.4 m by 1.6 m
Angle of hill: 10 degrees
Coefficient of rolling friction: 0.020


Homework Equations


The only thing I have to work with is the drag force equation.
F(D)=0.5pv^2C(D)A
p=Density of air
C(D)=coefficient of drag
A=cross-sectional area of the car
v=velocity of car

The Attempt at a Solution


I am contemplating on using that but velocity is involved in the equation and velocity is what I am looking for.
 
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hi michelle2011! :smile:

total force = ma = mdv/dt

so what are the forces? :wink:
 
What you want to do is find the net sum of forces acting on the car and then convert that to a velocity by using Tim's equation.
 
Are my net forces rolling force and air drag??
 
michelle2011 said:
Are my net forces rolling force and air drag??

net force is the (vector) sum of all the forces

(ie there is only one net force)

your three forces are the friction, the drag, and gravity
 
In the equation you gave me can I just find my (t) from a simple equation??
 
(just got up :zzz:)
michelle2011 said:
In the equation you gave me can I just find my (t) from a simple equation??

i'm confused … you're looking for v, not t :confused:

anyway, what equation do you get? :smile:
 
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