Mechanics: Newton's Laws of Motion
Newton's Laws of Motion: Audio Guided Solution
Problem Set NL13, Question 5:
A 960-kg car locks its wheels and skids to a stop across an asphalt surface. The coefficient of friction between the surface and the tires is 0.844. Determine the acceleration of the car (in m/s/s).
Audio Guided Solution
Habits of an Effective Problem Solver
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Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
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Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., m = 3.52 kg; a = 4.2 m/s/s; Fnet = ???.
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Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
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Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
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Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.
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Get more information on the topic of Newton's Laws of Motion at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.