UNIT

2 Dynamics |  2.I Stopping Distance

NAME  DATE

Scenario
Consider a car of mass m moving with initial speed v 0 on a
straight, flat road. At time t = 0, the driver fully applies the
brakes to avoid colliding with debris in the road in front of
the car. The car’s wheels lock, causing the car to slide on the
roadway until the car stops, before running over the debris.
The distance that the car slides is D. The coefficient of kinetic
friction between the car’s tires and the roadway is a constant
value μ k .

Using Representations
PART A: The dot at right represents the car. Draw a free-body diagram showing Fn
and labeling the forces (not components) exerted on the car, while
the car slides to a stop. Draw the relative lengths of all vectors to
reflect the relative magnitudes of all the forces. Each force must be
represented by a distinct arrow starting on and pointing away from the
dot. Note that the car is moving to the right. Ff

Argumentation

PART B: The stopping distance D depends on the value of v 0 and μ k.
mg
i.  Does the value of D increase or decrease with increasing initial
speed v 0? Give a physical explanation why this is the relationship.
X
     Increase      Decrease       Remains the same

The maximal acceleration is speed-independent and dependent on the coefficient of friction. Since
the maximum acceleration is constant, coming to a stop at the same acceleration will require
traveling a greater distance if the initial value of the velocity increases: vf^2=2a(delta x) 

ii.  Does the value of D increase or decrease with increasing coefficient of friction μ k ?
Give a physical explanation why this is the case.
X
     Increase      Decrease      Remains the same

The maximum acceleration is directly related to the coefficient of friction; as this value rises, so will
the maximum acceleration. The distance to stop will be less if the acceleration rises but the
beginning velocity stays the same.

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 2.I Stopping Distance

PART C: In the spaces below, derive two equations, one in the “y ” direction and one in the “x ” direction,
expressing Newton’s second law using the symbols m , g, a , μ and physical constants as appropriate.
For each line of the derivation, explain mathematically what was done (i.e., annotate your derivation).
The first line is done for you as an example.

Fy  ma y Newton’s second law states that the sum of the forces in the “y  ” direction
will be equal to the mass of the car times the acceleration of the car in the “y ”
direction, therefore:

Since both the normal force and the gravitational force are solely in the y
direction, their directions are indicated by a sign. Therefore, ma is equal to the
F(gravity)-F(normal)=ma
normal force less the gravitational force.

Because the car is not accelerating in the vertical direction; a=0

F(gravity)-F(normal)=0

The gravitational force and the normal force are of equal strength in this
F(normal) = F(gravity) instance.

According to Newton's second law, the sum of the forces acting in the x
direction will be equal to the car's mass times its x-directional acceleration.
Sum of forces = ma

Since there is only one horizontal force, the friction force is determined by
Ff=ma multiplying the vehicle's mass by its acceleration.

The friction force is determined by multiplying the normal force by the

 μF(gravity) = ma
kinetic friction coefficient.

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 2.I Stopping Distance

The gravity force and the normal force are of equal strength.
 μmg = ma

The acceleration of the car is equal to the acceleration caused by gravity

multiplied by the coefficient of friction.
 μg = a

Quantitative Analysis
PART D: Use your equations from Part C along with an appropriate kinematic equation to do the following:
i.  Write an equation for D in terms of v 0 , g, and µ .

ii.  Explain how your equation in Part D (i) supports your reasoning about the relationships among
D, v 0, and µ outlined in Part B.
Mu is at the bottom of the equation, thus as Part B states, when Mu rises, D falls. Additionally,
because velocity initial squared is at the top of the equation, as explained in Part B, when it rises,
so does D.

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