You are driving a 2475.0 kg car at a constant speed of 10.0 m/s along an icy, but straight and level road. While approaching a traffic light, it turns red. You slam on the brakes, your wheels locks, the tires began skidding, and the car slides to halt in a distance of 28.0 m. What is the coefficient of sliding friction between your tires and the icy road?

Question

You are driving a 2475.0 kg car at a constant speed of 10.0 m/s along an icy, but straight and level road.  While approaching a traffic light, it turns red.  You slam on the brakes, your wheels locks, the tires began skidding, and the car slides to halt in a distance of 28.0 m.  What is the coefficient of sliding friction between your tires and the icy road?

drwls · Answer

Equate the work done against friction to the loss of kinetic energy. This will let you solve for the friction force. Divide that by the weight of the car to get the cefficient of sliding friction.