Static fraction force coefficient

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a car's braking dynamics, specifically calculating the stopping distance and the coefficient of static friction required for perfect grip. The user initially struggled with relevant equations and concepts, ultimately arriving at a stopping distance of 613 meters and a coefficient of static friction of 0.19. There was emphasis on the importance of using correct physics principles and calculus in solving such problems, rather than relying solely on basic unit analysis. The conversation included suggestions for better understanding the relationship between torque, braking force, and the work done during braking. The need for a more rigorous mathematical approach in physics coursework was also highlighted.
elstudent
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Homework Statement


We have a car with mass of 1200kg driving at 55km/h. It suddenly starts breaking. The breaks "work" on every of the 4 wheels with the constant torque of 12Nm. The radius of the wheels is 0,21m.
Question 1: How long does the car travel before it stops if the wheels have perfect grip?
Question 2 the more important one: How big has to be the minimal value of the coefficient of the static fraction force between the wheels and surface for the wheels to really have the perfect grip.
g=9.81m/s^2

Homework Equations


As hard to believe as it might seem a haven't found a relevant equation. There is one where the coefficient is tanß but it is not proper. I also found one where c=v^2/(rg) but the result is innacurate.
There is M=F*r' but not helping..and others that all contain ß..

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried with the previously written equation but I got c=0,08 where it should be 0,19.
I also looked at some solved problem from un minessota but couldn't find anything useful.
Result for Q1 is 613 metters.
English is not my primary language so bare with me :)
 
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What happens to the kinetic energy of the car while it is braking (not breaking)?
 
well because it depends on the velocity in in the equation we have Wk =(m*v^2)/2. So when the car brakes it lowers down and when it stops it is equal to zero.
It is my rookie year on the university so we are not supposed to solve it with kinetic energy.
Yes of course braking my bad. :)
 
The work, W, done by a torque, \tau, is
\;W=\int \tau \: d \theta ?
 
I also found this equation but i don't know how to use it because I am not looking for the value of Work or do not have any other value for theta that 90degrees which is the angle between the surface and the force in the equation
F(sf)=c(sf)*Fn
where Fsf is force of static friction; c(sf) coefficient of static friction and Fn the normal Force which in our case eaquals gravitational force??
 
to calculate the work done by the braking torque, theta is the number of radians the wheels turn while the brakes are applied. It is not the angle between the tire and normal force.
 
I see what you are aiming to but can not figure out how many times does it turn or for how many radians does it turn.
Is there no way I can use the standard torque equation or a static fraction force equation?
 
had an epiffany (let's say I spelled that correctly). You divide torque (48Nm) by radius (0.21m) and get braking force, that divide that by mass and get braking acceleration.
Than easily length. s=v^2/(T/(m*a))
and for the coefficient you divide braking force by gravity force and get 0,19.
thanks for the help though :))
 
elstudent said:
had an epiffany
Spiphing.
 
  • #10
Do you use integration/differentiation in your Physics course?
 
  • #11
Do you use integration/differentiation in your Physics course?
 
  • #12
spiphing ?? ok I get it now :D

Yes, we do. I guess it just wasn't needed.
 
  • #13
elstudent said:
had an epiffany (let's say I spelled that correctly). You divide torque (48Nm) by radius (0.21m) and get braking force, that divide that by mass and get braking acceleration.
Than easily length. s=v^2/(T/(m*a))
and for the coefficient you divide braking force by gravity force and get 0,19.
thanks for the help though :))

You can only get away so long by using 'bad' physics.
I don't think this how its is suppose to be solved.
You should put some effort into this calculus thingy - you are going to need it in the future.
 
  • #14
I agree with you. I will look at it again.
thank you for your help:)
 
  • #15
Basic_Physics said:
The work, W, done by a torque, \tau, is
\;W=\int \tau \: d \theta ?
In this case we have an definite integral, F, of the form

F =\int ^{b}_{a} y(x) \; dx

where
y(x) is \tau ( \theta )

but the torque is constant and not a function of the angle through which the wheel turns, so we can bring it out of the integration which gets us to

W = \tau \int ^{ \theta }_{0} \; d \theta

so we are calculating the work done by the torque on the wheel as it turns through an angle of 0 radians up to θ radians
 
  • #16
ok than you get a result in Joules and Joule is Newton*meter so you divide the work by the g force?? or what.
I still don't completely understand this theta part. If theta eaquals 2*Pi for one wheel turn than you get the result W=24Pi Joules and if you divide it by gravity force you get a result smaller than 1.
And could you please tell me why this is an example of bad physics. I would really like to now so I can understand it better.
:)
 
  • #17
Basic_Physics said:
You can only get away so long by using 'bad' physics.
I'm puzzled. What was wrong with elstudent's analysis?
 
  • #18
It is not a good idea to just look at the units to solve a problem. You should apply your physics knowledge, be it principles, given equations or ...
Look at this simulation for the relationship between the distance traveled and the total amount of radians the wheel turns through. Is this what was troubling you?
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/bc/aw_young_physics_11/pt1a/Media/RotMotionStatics/DiscBlockRace/Main.html
Click on the #1 little block with the squiggly green line and then on run in the simulation.
Here is another link for the work done by a torque:
http://physics-help.info/physicsguide/mechanics/work_energy.shtml
At the bottom of the page you will find "Work and energy for rotational motion"
It says that the work done by a torque is
W = \tau ( \theta _{f} - \theta _{i})
Does this look familiar?
 
Last edited:
  • #19
Basic_Physics said:
It is not a good idea to just look at the units to solve a problem.
I agree, but it doesn't seem to me that elstudent did that:
You divide torque (48Nm) by radius (0.21m) and get braking force,​
Correct, and easily justified.
divide that by mass and get braking acceleration.
Correct and obviously justified.
Than easily length. s=v^2/(T/(m*a))​
Unassailable, though the formula seems written out a little wrongly.
and for the coefficient you divide braking force by gravity force and get 0,19.​
No problem there either.
 
  • #20
The fact that the the student does a calculus based physics course indicates that he/she should solve the problem with a stronger mathematical approach to the problem. I thought we should also help her/him to solve it that way, rather than revert back to knowledge gained only in the more basic chapters of physics. I though this approach should get him/her only 1/4 of the alloted marks in an exam.
 
  • #21
Basic_Physics said:
It is not a good idea to just look at the units to solve a problem.
elstudent didn't.
You should apply your physics knowledge, be it principles, ...
elstudent did.
 
  • #22
I only realized later that one is not always aware what the student is suppose to know and may provide a solution that the student is not capable of handling. The requirement of the AP Physics course do not seem to cover the theory I tried to provide -
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap05_phys_objectives_45859-1.pdf
But if the student is at university or college level he/she should be able to grasp it. The problem is that this is currently the only post of this student form which I cannot see at what level he/she is.
 
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