Transportation and Traffic Operations Help

[CxCakez]

1. This problem examines the motion of an automobile traveling on a crest vertical curve with the following profile: y=100+0.1x-0.0005x^2 where y and x represent the roadway elevation (in feet) and the horizontal distance (in feet). The automobile sets the brakes when x=0 while traveling 45 mph. the friction factor is .3 and air resistance is negligible. Find stopping distance ignoring the centrifugal acceleration.


I am at a loss where to even begin.

 

[gneill]

1. This problem examines the motion of an automobile traveling on a crest vertical curve with the following profile: y=100+0.1x-0.0005x^2 where y and x represent the roadway elevation (in feet) and the horizontal distance (in feet). The automobile sets the brakes when x=0 while traveling 45 mph. the friction factor is .3 and air resistance is negligible. Find stopping distance ignoring the centrifugal acceleration.


I am at a loss where to even begin.

Hello CxCakez. Welcome to Physics Forums.

In future, when starting a thread in the Homework forums please use the formatting template provided.

What are your ideas about how to approach the problem? Hint: usually an energy approach is easiest when there are gains and losses involved due to elevation changes or friction. Examine a small (differential) section of the curve and see if you can determine the kinetic energy change.