Solution Assignment # 1

Total Marks: 20
Semester: FALL 2021 Due Date:
PHYSICS (PHY101) 10 December, 2021

Question No. 1 Marks = = 5 +5 +2 = 12

The driver of a 2.0 × 103 kg red car traveling on the highway at 45m/s slams on his brakes to
avoid striking a second yellow car in front of him, which had come to rest because of
blocking ahead as shown in above Fig. After the brakes are applied, a constant friction force
of 7.5 × 103 N acts on the car. Ignore air resistance.
(a) Determine the least distance should the brakes be applied to avoid a collision with the
other vehicle?

Solution
Given Data:

Mass = m = 2.0 x 103 kg

Initial velocity = Vi = 45 m/s
Final velocity = Vf = 0
Force = F =7.5 x 103 N
Distance = S =?

Solution:
According to work energy principal.
Wnet = ½ m Vf2 – ½ mVi2
- Fk ∆x = ½ m (Vf2 – Vi2)
- 7.5 x 103∆x = ½ (2.0 x 103) (0 - 452)
∆x = 270 m

(b) If the distance between the vehicles is initially only 40.0 m, at what speed would the
collision occur?

If distance between the cars is 40 m

Wnet = ½ m Vf2 – ½ mVi2
- Fk ∆x = ½ m (Vf2 – Vi2)
(- 7.5 x 103)40 = ½ (2.0 x 103) (Vf2 - 452)
- 300 = Vf2 -2025
Vf2 = - 300 + 2025
Vf2 = 1725
Taking under root
Vf = 41.5 m/s
OR/second possible Solution

(a) Determine the least distance should the brakes be applied to avoid a collision with the
other vehicle?

Given Data:

Mass = m = 2.0 x 103 kg

Initial velocity = Vi = 45 m/s
Final velocity = Vf = 0
Force = F =7.5 x 103 N
Distance = S =?

Solution:

Normal force is equal to friction force:

F = - Fk
ma = - 7.5 x 103
a = -7.5 x 103 /m
a = - 7.5 x 103/2.0 x 103
a = - 3.75m/s2
Using third equation of motion:
2aS = Vf2 – Vi2
S = (Vf2 – Vi2)/2a
S = 270 m

(a) If the distance between the vehicles is initially only 40.0 m, at what speed would the
collision occur?

Solution

If distance between the cars is 40 m

2aS = Vf2 – Vi2
2(- 3.75)(40) = Vf2 – (45)2
- 300 = Vf2 -2025
Vf2 = - 300 + 2025
Vf2 = 1725
Taking under root
Vf = 41.5 m/s

(c) Write your conclusive observations on the result obtained from this numerical. i.e. the
importance of Physics in daily life.

Solution

Ans: This calculation illustrates how important it is to remain alert on the

highway/motorway, allowing for an adequate stopping distance at all times. It takes about a
second to react to the brake lights of the car in front of you. On a high-speed highway, your
car may travel more than 30 meters before you can engage the brakes. Bumper-to-bumper
traffic at high speed, as often exists on the highways near big cities, is extremely unsafe.
Moreover, it also represents the importance of Physics in your everyday life. With the help of
these formulae we can take help in our everyday life.

Question No. 2 Marks = 8

Consider an automobile moving at v mph that skids d feet after its brakes lock. Calculate how
far it would skid if it was moving at 2v and the brakes were locked.

Solution

Ans: Assume for simplicity that the force of kinetic friction between the car and the road
surface is constant and the same at both speeds. From the work–energy theorem, the net force
exerted on the car times the displacement of the car, Fnet Δx, is equal in magnitude to its
initial kinetic energy, ½.mv2. When the speed is doubled, the kinetic energy of the car is
quadrupled. So for a given applied friction force, the distance traveled must increase fourfold
when the initial speed is doubled, and the estimated distance the car skids is 4d.

Best of luck