Solve for the Maximum Incline | Car Acceleration & Power Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a car's ability to accelerate and climb an incline, specifically determining the steepest hill it can ascend while maintaining a certain speed. The subject area includes dynamics and forces, particularly focusing on the relationship between mass, acceleration, and gravitational forces on an incline.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to convert speeds and calculate acceleration but expresses uncertainty about the next steps. Some participants suggest considering the forces acting on the car on an incline and drawing a diagram to visualize the problem. Questions arise regarding how to determine the angle of the incline without having the value of theta.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different aspects of the problem, including the forces involved and how to relate them to the incline. Some guidance has been offered regarding the components of gravitational force and how to approach finding the angle, but there is no explicit consensus on the method to proceed.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of specific information regarding the angle of the incline, which is crucial for solving the problem. The original poster also indicates limited progress in their attempts, highlighting the challenge of moving forward with the calculations.

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Homework Statement


A 1100kg car can accelerate from 0-60kph in 6.5 seconds. With constant engine power, what is the steepest hill the car could climb at 20 kph.


Homework Equations


F=ma
W=Fd
P=W/t
g=mgSin(theta)

maybe work energy theorem?

The Attempt at a Solution


Not Much...just conversions and I do not know where to go from here
60kph-->16.67m/s
a=16.67/6.5 = 2.56m/s^2

20km/h --> 5.56m/s
 
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bump please help :(
 
Okay so you need to think about the force of the car based on the mass and the acceleration. Draw yourself a diagram of an incline of steepness "S". Now put the car on it. You should have the force of the car moving up the incline and mg. You need to find the component of mg that matches the incline. Doing this, you can find a component that outweighs the force of the car moving forward. Hope that helps.
 
ok so would it be mgsintheta? but i don't have theta? so how can i get the netforce acting on the car
 
First find the force the car is exerting. What you want to do is insert that same force into your component of mg. You know the y component of mg by multiplication. So on the diagonal axis you will have a force equal and opposite to the car moving up the same axis, and then you will have mg on your y axis. Now you can use inverse trig to find the angle. Give that a try, I will be on for 20 more minutes before my next class.
 

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