Will a Car Speed Up After Releasing the Brakes?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

In a scenario where a car is moving and the motor stops, applying the brakes reduces the speed to half. Upon releasing the brakes, the car will not speed up; it will maintain its current speed due to inertia and eventually decelerate because of friction. This conclusion is supported by the principles of physics, specifically Newton's first law of motion, which states that an object in motion stays in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Basic knowledge of friction and its effects on motion
  • Familiarity with concepts of inertia
  • Awareness of vehicle dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of friction on vehicle motion
  • Study Newton's first law of motion in detail
  • Explore vehicle dynamics and how they affect speed
  • Learn about the role of inertia in everyday scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of motion and vehicle dynamics.

pbody
Messages
41
Reaction score
0
1. Suppose that you're in a moving car and the motor stops running. You step on the brakes and slow the car to half speed. If you release your foot from the brakes, will the car speed up a bit, or will it continue at half speed and slow due to friction? Defend your answer.



Homework Equations





3. I don't believe it would speed up I believe due to the fact of inertia it would travel at the same rate and eventually slow down due to friction.
 
Physics news on Phys.org


You are correct.
 

Similar threads

Help with question on motion: Avoiding a rear-end collision
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Solving for Car Speed and Stopping Time in a Braking Scenario
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K
Force of Friction: Stopping 1,000kg Car at .8 Coeff.
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Momentum: why don't the two carts become one?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
1K
Why a car decelerates after releasing the gas pedal?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Car Crash Analysis: Analyzing Friction & Speed
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
Solving Baseballs Colliding with a Car: Find Speed & Position
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
How far does the car travel before its brakes are applied to slow down?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
12K
Modeling vehicle lift in uphill front end collision
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
How Does the Angle Affect the Height and Speed of a Toy Car on a Track?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
18K