Question

A motorcyclist is traveling at 51.9 mph on a flat stretch of highway during a sudden rainstorm. The rain has reduced the coefficient of static friction between the motorcycle's tires and the road to 0.076 when the motorcyclist slams on the brakes. (a) What is the minimum distance required to bring the motorcycle to a complete stop? (b) What would be the stopping distance if it were not raining and the coefficient of static friction were 0.580?

Answer 1

Part (a) 361m

Part (b) 47.4m

This problem involves involves the nonconservative frictional force. To solve this problem. The energy approacb will be used. The energy conservation is used to relate the work done by the frictional force over the required distance to the kinetic energy of the motorcycle before the brakes are applied.

Step-by-step explanation:

The equation is

K1 + U1 + Wf = K2 + U2

Where U standa for potential energy which in this case is zero as the height of the motorcycle does not change over the distance of the application of the brakes to the tyres. The work of friction is negative.

The full solution can be found in the attachment below.

Answer 2

Answer: a) 361.23m

b) 47.38m

Step-by-step explanation:

Friction is opposite in direction to an applied force

Find the attached file for the solution

(b) The distance traveled with the friction of rain-free conditions is 47.38 m.