Mechanics- connected particles

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a mechanics problem involving a car towing a caravan down an inclined hill. Participants analyze the forces acting on both the car and the caravan, applying Newton's laws to determine the braking force exerted by the car's engine. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and technical explanations related to forces, acceleration, and the dynamics of connected particles.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the problem and expresses confusion about the answer, specifically regarding the force from the car's engine.
  • Another participant outlines the forces acting on both the caravan and the car, indicating that both have the same acceleration.
  • Subsequent posts reiterate the forces acting on the caravan and car, emphasizing the need to apply Newton's laws to find the braking force.
  • Participants provide equations for net forces on both the car and caravan, suggesting that the accelerations should be set equal to solve for the braking force.
  • Questions arise about specific values used in the calculations, such as the origin of the value 900 N, which is identified as the gravitational force component acting on the car.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the solution to the problem, as confusion persists regarding the calculations and the values used. Multiple viewpoints and approaches to solving the problem are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the values of forces and accelerations. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of the forces involved and their contributions to the overall dynamics.

Shah 72
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A car tows a caravan down a hill. The slope of the hill makes an angle theta with the horizontal, where sin theta = 0.05. The force from the car's engine is a braking force ( a negative driving force). The car has mass 1800 kg and the caravan has mass 600kg. The resistance on the car is 20N and that on the caravan is 80N. The force in the tow bar is a thrust of 50N. Show that the force from the car's engine is -420N.
I don't get the ans.
 
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forces acting on the caravan down the incline …
$mg\sin{\theta}$
up the incline …
80N resistive force + 50N thrust force from the tow bar

forces acting on the car down the incline …
$Mg\sin{\theta} +$ 50N thrust force from the tow bar
up the incline …
20N resistive force + $F_B$, the braking force

both the car & caravan have the same acceleration

try again
 
skeeter said:
forces acting on the caravan down the incline …
$mg\sin{\theta}$
up the incline …
80N resistive force + 50N thrust force from the tow bar

forces acting on the car down the incline …
$Mg\sin{\theta} +$ 50N thrust force from the tow bar
up the incline …
20N resistive force + $F_B$, the braking force

both the car & caravan have the same acceleration

try again
Using Newtons law
F= m×a
18000sintheta+ 6000sintheta-20-50-80=2400a
a=0.438m/s^2
Again using F=m×a
18000×0.05-50-20-braking force= 1800×0.438
I don't get the ans
 
for the car …

$$F_{net} = 900+50-F_B-20$$

$$a = \dfrac{F_{net}}{M} = \dfrac{930-F_B}{1800} $$

for the caravan …

$$F_{net} = 300 -80-50$$

$$a = \dfrac{F_{net}}{m} = \dfrac{170}{600} = \dfrac{17}{60}[/math]

set the accelerations equal & solve for $F_B$
 
skeeter said:
for the car …

$$F_{net} = 900+50-F_B-20$$

$$a = \dfrac{F_{net}}{M} = \dfrac{930-F_B}{1800} $$

for the caravan …

$$F_{net} = 300 -80-50$$

$$a = \dfrac{F_{net}}{m} = \dfrac{170}{600} = \dfrac{17}{60}[/math]

set the accelerations equal & solve for $F_B$
Thank you so so much!
 
skeeter said:
for the car …

$$F_{net} = 900+50-F_B-20$$

$$a = \dfrac{F_{net}}{M} = \dfrac{930-F_B}{1800} $$

for the caravan …

$$F_{net} = 300 -80-50$$

$$a = \dfrac{F_{net}}{m} = \dfrac{170}{600} = \dfrac{17}{60}[/math]

set the accelerations equal & solve for $F_B$
Where did you get the 900?
 
Aswad Shafin Khan said:
Where did you get the 900?

$mg\sin{\theta} = 900 \, N$ for $g \approx 10 \, m/s^2$
 

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