How to Calculate the Coefficient of Friction on a 20 Degree Incline?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the coefficient of friction for a car on a 20-degree incline, based on its acceleration and the forces involved. The original poster outlines a scenario involving a car's acceleration and seeks to determine the necessary coefficient of friction to maintain that acceleration on an incline.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the force of friction and the forces acting on the car, including the normal force and gravitational components on an incline. Questions arise regarding the calculation of the coefficient of friction and the implications of the incline's angle.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the relationship between the forces acting on the car and the coefficient of friction, suggesting a method to relate these forces. However, the discussion remains open with various interpretations of the problem and the calculations involved.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the need for complete problem text and the importance of considering the incline's angle in the calculations. The discussion hints at the complexity introduced by the incline, which may affect the normal force and friction calculations.

emonroe14
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Homework Statement



Pick a car, find its acceleration. calculate the force necessary to move the car with this acceleration and the minimum coefficient of friction to accomplish this. repeat the calculation of the coefficient of friction on a 20 degree incline.

Homework Equations



How do i calculate the coefficient of friction? on a 20 degree incline as well?

The Attempt at a Solution


0-60= 5.8s
weight=1392.7kg

acceleration= change in velocity/ change in time
acceleration= 26.82m/s / 5.8s = 4.62 m/s2

weight= massx acceleration of gravity
1392.7= m(9.81 m/s2)
mass= 141.97

force= mass x acceleration
F= 141.97x 4.62 m/s2
F= 646.49 N

How do i find coefficient of friction and the coefficient of friction on a 20 degree incline?
force= mass x acceleration
 
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Since you have the amount of force on the plane, you can take that and set it equal to the force of friction.

646.49 = m* g * Cf (Coefficient of Friction, since keyboards don't have mew), divide the mass and g off and you have the coefficient of friction
 
Hi emonroe14, welcome to PF.
Post the complete text of the problem.
 
Friction is always parallel to a surface and is figured by the component of force normal to the surface.

The CF is a ratio between the normal force and the force of friction it generates. It varies with surfaces (including the tires).

On a flat surface the normal force is typically the mass times the acceleration of gravity. But when the surface is tilted, the force of gravity is still straight down, while the force causing the friction is perpendicular to the surface. (Think of using some trig here.)

The friction force must be greater than the force of acceleration, so that sets the lower limit.
 

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