Racing car and frictional forces question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a racing car's acceleration, frictional forces, and power output. Participants explore the application of kinetic energy, power, and force equations to solve the problem, which includes determining the tractive force and the power required to maintain a certain speed.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a problem involving a racing car's acceleration and the forces acting on it, seeking assistance in solving it.
  • Another participant suggests using kinetic energy equations and asks if the change in kinetic energy relates to force.
  • A different participant confirms that power is the product of force and velocity, reinforcing its relevance to the problem.
  • There is a mention of using work-energy relationships or kinematic equations to find the tractive force, indicating multiple approaches to the problem.
  • One participant notes a potential error in the kinetic energy equation, suggesting a missing factor of 2, while also confirming the utility of the power equation for the second part of the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying degrees of understanding and approaches to the problem, with no consensus on the best method or resolution of the initial question. Some participants agree on the relevance of certain equations, while others point out potential errors or omissions.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the application of the equations and the specific conditions of the problem, such as the treatment of frictional forces and the transition between different speeds.

dansbr
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1. A racing car of mass 950kg accelerates from 30km/h to 170km/h over a distance of 220 meters. Frictional forces and wind resistance can be assumed to be 750N.

Determine the tractive force produced by the car to provide this acceleration

The car finally reaches a speed of 250km/h. Friction and wind resistance are 1900N at this speed. What power output is required is required to maintain this speed.


3. Am completely new to this type of question so any help would be greatly appreciated
 
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You should at least have some elementary equations somewhere.
Can you determine the kinetic energy of an object moving with known velocity and mass?
If the car accelerates, does this change?
Can you find a relation between a change in kinetic energy and a force?

For the second part, do you know a relation between power and force?
 
so should i use KE=MV² and P=Fv
 
Power is force times velocity as you typed above.

The first part of the problem where you seek the tractive force can be done by either work-energy relationships or by kinematic equations such as V1^2-V2^2 = 2*a*s followed by F=m*a + friction/wind.
 
dansbr said:
so should i use KE=MV² and P=Fv
There is a factor of 2 missing in the first equation. The second equation is useful for the second part, right.
 

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