Physics question, please help out

A car driver suddenly sees a fence right in front of her. The fence is perpendicular to the direction of the car. What decision is better to avoid the accident: to turn or to step on the brake? Assume the car's velocity is V at the moment she sees the fence and the coeffecient of kinteic friction between the tires and the road is "fric". Assume a mass M for the car. Work the problem out mathematically and then interpret you results to support your decision.

Now me, I'm stumped. There is no info given that can be used. Your not given distance to the fence or maximum turning radius of the car. I thought about solving a generic equation and seeing which of the two spits our a shorter distance for the car, but as I say again there is no maximum turning radius of the car given. If there is insight that I missed, please make me feel stupid and tell me. OtherwiseIf one cant solve the problem, can someone at least give me the average turning radius of any car? I been looking on Google and its damn near impossible to find. It would be appreciated.

(edit) I stupid I see now, one can find max turn radius, it is better to turn.

Last edited by NomadaNare on Mar-15-2005 at 02:10

definitely turning.

Suddenly sees a fence right in front of her? That just doesn't happen. Let the woman crash so she'll learn a good lesson.

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quote:

Originally posted by ierxium Suddenly sees a fence right in front of her? That just doesn't happen. Let the woman crash so she'll learn a good lesson.

somebodys never driven drunk

we have something in common

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Get Killed.
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this could only happen to a woman driver hehehe

quote:

Originally posted by NomadaNare Physics question, please help out A car driver suddenly sees a fence right in front of her. The fence is perpendicular to the direction of the car. What decision is better to avoid the accident: to turn or to step on the brake? Assume the car's velocity is V at the moment she sees the fence and the coeffecient of kinteic friction between the tires and the road is "fric". Assume a mass M for the car. Work the problem out mathematically and then interpret you results to support your decision. Now me, I'm stumped. There is no info given that can be used. Your not given distance to the fence or maximum turning radius of the car. I thought about solving a generic equation and seeing which of the two spits our a shorter distance for the car, but as I say again there is no maximum turning radius of the car given. If there is insight that I missed, please make me feel stupid and tell me. OtherwiseIf one cant solve the problem, can someone at least give me the average turning radius of any car? I been looking on Google and its damn near impossible to find. It would be appreciated.

You see a car heading towards you at 50MPH and you are driving at 50MPH. Which is better? Take the head on impact at combined force of 100MPH or swerve and hit a tree at 50 MPH. Best choice is the later... Have you ever been in an accident at all before? I've been in several, and one was a fatal - obviously not me...


[[[smoke]]]

Offer Nissim ft Maya - Thats the Way I Like It (Peter Rauhofer Reconstruction Mix)

quote:

Originally posted by NomadaNare Physics question, please help out A car driver suddenly sees a fence right in front of her. The fence is perpendicular to the direction of the car. What decision is better to avoid the accident: to turn or to step on the brake? Assume the car's velocity is V at the moment she sees the fence and the coeffecient of kinteic friction between the tires and the road is "fric". Assume a mass M for the car. Work the problem out mathematically and then interpret you results to support your decision. Now me, I'm stumped. There is no info given that can be used. Your not given distance to the fence or maximum turning radius of the car. I thought about solving a generic equation and seeing which of the two spits our a shorter distance for the car, but as I say again there is no maximum turning radius of the car given. If there is insight that I missed, please make me feel stupid and tell me. OtherwiseIf one cant solve the problem, can someone at least give me the average turning radius of any car? I been looking on Google and its damn near impossible to find. It would be appreciated.

im assuming its a brick or hard wall in front. stepping on the break would lower the value of V creating an increase in "fric", lessening the impact of M on the fence.

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quote:

Originally posted by NomadaNare Physics question, please help out A car driver suddenly sees a fence right in front of her. The fence is perpendicular to the direction of the car. What decision is better to avoid the accident: to turn or to step on the brake? Assume the car's velocity is V at the moment she sees the fence and the coeffecient of kinteic friction between the tires and the road is "fric". Assume a mass M for the car. Work the problem out mathematically and then interpret you results to support your decision. Now me, I'm stumped. There is no info given that can be used. Your not given distance to the fence or maximum turning radius of the car. I thought about solving a generic equation and seeing which of the two spits our a shorter distance for the car, but as I say again there is no maximum turning radius of the car given. If there is insight that I missed, please make me feel stupid and tell me. OtherwiseIf one cant solve the problem, can someone at least give me the average turning radius of any car? I been looking on Google and its damn near impossible to find. It would be appreciated. (edit) I stupid I see now, one can find max turn radius, it is better to turn.

you don't need those things because its all relative to the problem. as long as those things are constant in both...they are un important...

There is not enough information to solve the problem. For instance, if the car is traveling at a relatively low speed (5 MPH or so), it could easily slam on the brakes or even turn. However, if we are talking about a high speed (35 MPH and higher) it might be more feasible to slam on the brakes. Nevertheless, if the car does not have ABS brakes, there is the possibility of skidding into the fence. That's another fact that is missing about the car's brakes. So I would say that this problem is highly flawed.


Now, if we wanna be kewl and avoid the accident, always opt by going thru the fence...if you're drunk you won't feel a thing

quote:

Originally posted by Zenchowdah somebodys never driven drunk we have something in common

If the girl was drunk then how come she noticed the fence in front of her? She was probably putting on make-up or talking on the cell phone or eating a bean burrito or playing with her dildo or maybe she was looking for a Tiesto CD to put on her player. Who knows. Maybe she was doing all those things at the same time.

Yes, never drive drunk. Always have friends with you, one sober.

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quote:

Originally posted by smokeape You see a car heading towards you at 50MPH and you are driving at 50MPH. Which is better? Take the head on impact at combined force of 100MPH or swerve and hit a tree at 50 MPH. Best choice is the later... Have you ever been in an accident at all before? I've been in several, and one was a fatal - obviously not me... [[[smoke]]] Offer Nissim ft Maya - Thats the Way I Like It (Peter Rauhofer Reconstruction Mix)

its not a combined force of 100mph. i know its more than that. but, ive never taken physics so i dont know.

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