What Is the Horizontal Force Between the Truck Tires and Ground?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a truck lifting a boulder and the calculation of the horizontal force between the truck tires and the ground. The context includes the application of free body diagrams and Newton's second law, with a focus on the effects of acceleration and forces acting on the system.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The problem involves a 5000-lb truck lifting a 1000-lb boulder on a 200-lb pallet with an acceleration of 1 ft/s².
  • The initial calculations by the first participant assume no friction, leading to a derived horizontal force of 1392.5-lb.
  • Another participant points out that friction must be considered for the truck to move, suggesting that the initial assumption may be flawed.
  • A subsequent reply indicates that the provided solution of 765-lb for the force between the ground and the truck may be incorrect, raising doubts about the accuracy of the solution.
  • One participant suggests that the discrepancy could be a book error, but this remains unverified.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the presence of friction in the calculations, with some asserting that it must be accounted for while others maintain their original assumptions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct horizontal force value.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations in the assumptions made, particularly regarding friction and the accuracy of the provided solution. There are unresolved mathematical steps related to the calculations of forces and tensions.

rdg29
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
1. Problem statement:

A 5000-lb truck is being used to lift a 1000-lb boulder B that is on a 200-lb pallet. Knowing the acceleration of the truck is 1 ft/s^2, determine the horizontal force between the tires and ground. The truck is on a horizontal plane with the boulder and pallet connected to a single pulley system off a cliff face.

Homework Equations

:[/B]

∑F = ma

bsCTqRi.jpg


3. Attempt at the solution:

[STRIKE]Assuming no friction.
[/STRIKE]
First, I separated the truck and the boulder with two separate FBD/Kinematic diagrams.

For the truck, I had 4 total forces acting on the body.

F = ? (horizontal force between the truck and the ground)
T = ? (tension in the cable)
N = 5000 lb
W = -5000 lb

Setting up the sum of the forces on the truck, we get:
∑Fy = 0
∑Fx = F - T
(ma)sum = F - T

mtruck = 5000/32.2 = 155.280

Subbing in the known values:
155.280*1 ft/s^2 = F - T

Now, I moved to the pulley system:

The FBD consisted of 3 forces:

T = ? (tension in the cable)
Wb = Weight of the Boulder = 1000 lb
Wp = Weight of the Pallet = 200 lb

Setting up the sum of the forces, we get:

∑Fx = 0
∑Fy = T - Wb - Wp

Subbing in the known values:
mboulder+pallet = (1000 lb + 200 lb)/32.2 = 37.267

(mboulder+pallet*1 ft/s^2) = T - 1000-lb - 200-lb
T = 1237.267-lb

Use T to find F in the equation for the truck:
155.280 = F - 1237.267
F = 1392.5-lb

The problem I am running into however, is this does not match the answer I'm told to find. I'm wondering if it is just something simple that I'm missing here, so any guidance would be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Looks ok to me except you should found off the number. There is friction,though, between driving tires and road. Otherwise, the truck couldn't move.
 
Thanks for looking it over, and pointing out the friction error on my part. The overall error may end up being an error in the solution provided maybe? The solution listed is 765-lb for the force between the ground and the truck.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
9K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
6K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
6K
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
5K
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K