Question

A student is driving through a mountainous region where the road is at some times flat, at some times inclined upward, and at some time inclined downward. The student maintains a speed of 20 m/s on the roadway, but is required to make an emergency stop on the three sepearte occasions. On levels roadway, it takes 25 m to stop. On a downward-sloping roadway, it takes 40 m to stop. On an upward-sloping roadway, it takes 18 m to stop. Explain why the stopping distances are different. (Focus answer using work and energy, other concepts may be used as well but be sure work and energy are included.)

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

It is frictional force of the ground that helps in bringing the vehicle to stop . In the process of stopping , negative work is done on the car by friction force to overcome its kinetic energy .

At levelled road , for stoppage

Kinetic energy of vehicle = Work done by frictional force . = friction force x displacement .

At upward slopping road , gravitational force acting downward also helps the vehicle to stop do friction has to do less work .

At upward inclined  road , for stoppage

Kinetic energy of vehicle = Work done by frictional force + work done by gravitational force  = (friction force + gravitational force ) x displacement .

Hence displacement is less .

At downward slopping road ,  friction has to do more work because friction has to do work against gravitational force acting downwards wards and kinetic energy of the vehicle  also .

At downward inclined  road , for stoppage

Kinetic energy of vehicle + work done by gravitational force  = Work done by frictional force = friction force  x displacement .

Hence displacement is more .