Question About Physics Homework (High School Physics)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a car's braking force, given its mass, initial speed, and stopping distance. The subject area is kinematics, specifically focusing on motion under constant acceleration or deceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using kinematic equations to find time and acceleration. There is some confusion about whether to refer to the change in speed as acceleration or deceleration. Questions arise about the relevance of direction in this context and the steps necessary to arrive at a solution.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering hints and encouraging the original poster to share their thought process. There is a mix of attempts to clarify concepts and requests for step-by-step guidance, indicating a collaborative effort to understand the problem better.

Contextual Notes

Participants express frustration with the problem, indicating that some may feel lost or uncertain about their approach. There is a mention of the need for clarity in the steps taken to solve the problem, highlighting the challenge of navigating the kinematic equations involved.

streetracer14
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Okay, I have stuck on this question for about 10 minutes now, and just thought I would ask you guys for some help. Okay, the question is "A 2229.5 kg car is coasting along a level road at 31.1 m/s. A constant braking force is applied, such that the car is stopped in a distance of 70.2 M. What is the magnitude of the braking force? Answer in units of N"

Any help would be appreciated!
 
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You know the initial speed and the stopping distance. Use that to find the time it takes to stop. Look at your equations of kinematics.

Once you know the time you know the average acceleration.

Can you finish?
 
I'll give you a hint, F = ma
 
wait we aren't finding acceleration, we're finding deacceleration? right?
lol

does it matter which?
 
deceleration is just a fancy way to say that the acceleration is negative or opposing the velocity, so they should be the same magnitude but you may tack on a different direction depending on which word you use (one word carries an inherent negative)
 
Okay, well I think I got it, but can someone post like a step-by-step on how to do this, because I think I got the answer right, but just not sure how to get there... lol
 
Post your steps and we'll tell you if you've got it right.
 
okay, well I just went over them again, and I realized I did some of it wrong and now I am lost. So far, all I did now is take the 70 .2m/31.1m/s and got about 2.24. I'm not sure if this is correct, but what now?? I'm getting frustrated with this (not you guys, the problem)
 
What are you trying to find there? I would start by finding the acceleration, which you can do by using one kinematic equation. Look at them and pick the one that has the things you know in it, along with acceleration which you want to find.
 
  • #10
Show us what you are doing!

Please!
 

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