Question

Three cars (car F, car G, and car H) are moving with the same velocity when the driver suddenly slams on the brakes, locking the wheels. The most massive car is car F, the least massive is car H, and all three cars have identical tires.

Which car travels the longest distance to skid to a stop?

Answer 1

Car H

Step-by-step explanation:

Frictional force is a resistant force. It is given as:

F = u*m*g

Where u = coefficient of friction

m = mass

g = acceleration due to gravity

From the formula above, we see that frictional force is dependent on the mass of object and the coefficient of friction.

Since they all have the same tires, the coefficient of friction between the tire and the floor is the same for each car. Acceleration due to gravity, g, is constant.

The only factor that determines the frictional force of each car is the mass. Hence, the more the mass, the more the frictional force.

So, the most massive car will have the most frictional force and hence, will come to a stop quicker than the others. The least massive car will have the least frictional force and so, will take a longer time to stop.