Chapter 2: Problem 21

As any car travels with constant velocity on a straight, flat section of highway, the road still exerts both a vertical (upward or downward) force and a horizontal (forward or backward) force on the car. Identify the specific direction of each of these forces.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The vertical force exerted on the car is the normal force, acting upward from the road surface. The horizontal force exerted on the car is the friction force, acting backward (opposite to the direction of motion).

Step by step solution

Identify the forces acting on the car

The car traveling with constant velocity on a straight, flat highway is subjected to a few forces. They include: 1. Gravity: the force that pulls the car downward, acting vertically towards the Earth. 2. Normal force: the force exerted by the road on the car that acts vertically upwards, opposing gravity. 3. Friction force: the force exerted by the road that opposes the motion of the car, acting horizontally. 4. Applied force: a horizontal force exerted by the engine, which is responsible for the car's constant velocity.

Determine the vertical forces

In this scenario, there are two vertical forces acting on the car: 1. Gravity - exerted downward. 2. Normal force - exerted upward. These forces balance each other and keep the car in equilibrium in the vertical direction. Thus, the vertical force exerted by the road on the car is the normal force, acting upwards.

Determine the horizontal forces

There are two horizontal forces acting on the car: 1. Friction force - exerted backward in the direction opposite to the motion. 2. Applied force - exerted forward in the direction of motion. Since the car is traveling at a constant velocity, these two forces must be balanced, meaning that the magnitude of the friction force is equal to the applied force. Consequently, the horizontal force exerted by the road on the car is the friction force, acting backward (opposite to the direction of motion).

Identify the specific directions of the forces

In conclusion, the forces exerted on the car by the road while traveling with constant velocity on a straight and flat highway are: 1. Vertical force: Normal force, acting upward from the road surface. 2. Horizontal force: Friction force, acting backward (opposite to the direction of motion).

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As any car travels with constant velocity on a straight, flat section of highway, the road still exerts both a vertical (upward or downward) force and a horizontal (forward or backward) force on the car. Identify the specific direction of each of these forces.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Identify the forces acting on the car

Determine the vertical forces

Determine the horizontal forces

Identify the specific directions of the forces

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