<p>This problem seems very simple, yet I can't figure out how to solve it. It is from the 2010 f=ma exam.</p>
<p>A car attempts to accelerate up a hill at an angle Θ to the horizontal. The coefficient of static friction between the tires and the hill is </p>
<p>Maximum acceleration = Net force (in x-direction) / m
= (Frictional force + Fg<em>sinθ) / m
= (µmg</em>cosθ - mg<em>sinθ) / m
= µg</em>cosθ - g<em>sinθ
= g(µ</em>cosθ - sinθ)</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I agree with the first post. Forces acting on the car should include the force generated by the engine of the car, which when subtracted from gravitational component force and frictional force should give the net force. based on the capacity of the engine, the force will vary.
In the second posting, it has gravitational component acting in the opposite drection as frictional force. I think gravitational component and frictional force will be in the downward direction and the Force generated by car’s engine will be in the upward direction.</p>
<p>Venkat</p>