Tractive effort of car D'Alemberts principle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving the calculation of tractive effort, work done, and average power required for a car accelerating up a slope. The problem is approached using both energy methods and D'Alemberts principle, with participants sharing their calculations and seeking clarification on various aspects of the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • The initial calculations for acceleration, inertia resistance, and gravitational force were presented, leading to a proposed tractive effort.
  • Participants discussed the definition of work done, with some suggesting it refers specifically to the work done by the tractive force.
  • Clarifications were sought regarding the relationship between work done, change in kinetic energy (KE), and potential energy (PE), with some participants noting the importance of including both in the conservation of energy approach.
  • There was a suggestion to calculate the change in potential energy and incorporate it into the overall work done by non-conservative forces.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to clarify the definition of work done and the relationship between work, KE, and PE. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the specific calculations and interpretations of the problem, indicating that multiple views and interpretations exist.

Contextual Notes

Some participants noted potential errors in calculations and assumptions, particularly regarding the interpretation of work done and the inclusion of gravitational forces in the energy calculations. There is also mention of rounding off answers to significant figures, which may affect the final results.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals studying mechanics, particularly those interested in understanding the application of D'Alemberts principle and energy conservation in practical problems involving motion on slopes.

badsanta010
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Hi

I have been working on this problem now for a good few weeks and I think I am nearly there just need help on the last bit.

The Question:

A car of mass 1200kg accelertaes from 2.5 to 5.0 ms while traveling up a slope of 1in 10, through a distance of 60m. If resistance to motion is 105N determine using both an energy method and D'Alemberts principle

a) The tractive effort F required
b) Work done
c) average power required to accelerate load

What I have done so far.

Part a)

I worked out acceleration using a=(v^2 - u^2 ) / 2s giving me a= 0.15625 m/s

Then using m x a to work out inertia resistance = 187.5N

I then worked out the angle ( bottom left of traingle ) by using slope of 1 in 10 = 0.1 and doing tan-1(0.1 to give 5.71 degress

I then worked out the gravitational force m x g x sin pheta ( 1200 x 9.81 x sin(5.71 )

This gave 1171.357N

Adding these with my original resistance to motion gave me a tractive effort of 1463.857139N

Part a) done hopefully

Part b)

Work done = f x s
1463.857139 x 60 = 87831.42834 Nm

Part c) Power = work done / time taken

Time taken = change in velocity / acceleration

2.5/0.15625 = 16 secs

Power = 87831.42834 / 16 = 5489.4642

I divided this my distance of 60m to give 91.49107 Nms


This is where I am stuck I understand I need to use conservations of energy which mean working out PE and KE.

Intial KE

KE= 1/2 m x v^2

600 x 2.5^2 = 3750J

Final KE

600 x 5^2 = 15000

Give me a change in KE of 11250

And that as much as I can do.

Sorry for it being quite long but I really want to get through this question. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

I will attached a picture of a diagram that also comes with the questions

Thanks again
 

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badsanta010, welcome to PF! You've done some good work thusfar using Newton's laws, but with a clarification required and an error, see below. (Note: You should probably round off your answers to 2 significant figures)
badsanta010 said:
Hi

I have been working on this problem now for a good few weeks and I think I am nearly there just need help on the last bit.

The Question:

A car of mass 1200kg accelertaes from 2.5 to 5.0 ms while traveling up a slope of 1in 10, through a distance of 60m. If resistance to motion is 105N determine using both an energy method and D'Alemberts principle

a) The tractive effort F required
b) Work done
c) average power required to accelerate load

What I have done so far.

Part a)

I worked out acceleration using a=(v^2 - u^2 ) / 2s giving me a= 0.15625 m/s

Then using m x a to work out inertia resistance = 187.5N

I then worked out the angle ( bottom left of traingle ) by using slope of 1 in 10 = 0.1 and doing tan-1(0.1 to give 5.71 degress

I then worked out the gravitational force m x g x sin pheta ( 1200 x 9.81 x sin(5.71 )

This gave 1171.357N

Adding these with my original resistance to motion gave me a tractive effort of 1463.857139N

Part a) done hopefully
This looks good so far, very good
Part b)

Work done = f x s
1463.857139 x 60 = 87831.42834 Nm
Nm is usually referred to as Joules, but this is where clarification is needed. This is the work sone by the tractive force, which I assume the problem is asking for? Most all the forces (tractive force, gravity, resistive forces) do work, so the problem should be more specific when it asks for "work" done.
Part c) Power = work done / time taken

Time taken = change in velocity / acceleration

2.5/0.15625 = 16 secs

Power = 87831.42834 / 16 = 5489.4642
yes, this is the average power delivered by the car, units should be Joules/s, or Watts
I divided this my distance of 60m to give 91.49107 Nms
why? You already calculated the average power above. Go no further.
This is where I am stuck I understand I need to use conservations of energy which mean working out PE and KE.

Intial KE

KE= 1/2 m x v^2

600 x 2.5^2 = 3750J

Final KE

600 x 5^2 = 15000

Give me a change in KE of 11250

And that as much as I can do.

Sorry for it being quite long but I really want to get through this question. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

I will attached a picture of a diagram that also comes with the questions

Thanks again
Using energy methods, your change in KE is correct. What's the change in PE? Then use the conservation of energy equation which states that the change in KE plus the change in PE must equal the work done by the non-conservative (tractive and resistive) forces.
 
Hi

Thanks for the help

I cannot clarify on the work done. I assume as you said it must be asking for work done of the tractive effort

I knew work done = change in KE

I did'nt know change in PE could also be added to this

Well thanks again, I will try and give this a go when I am free over the weekend and hopefully I may of cracked it.

Thanks
 
badsanta010 said:
Hi

Thanks for the help

I cannot clarify on the work done. I assume as you said it must be asking for work done of the tractive effort

I knew work done = change in KE
Total (or net) work done by ALL forces is change in KE, that's why I asked for clarification...I woudn't use this equation
I did'nt know change in PE could also be added to this
For some clarification (or possible confusion), note that W_net = change in KE, and W_nc = change in KE plus change in PE , where W_net is the work done by all forces, including gravity, and W_nc is the work done by non-conservative forces (that excludes gravity).
 

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