What are all the forces acting on a car going down a ramp?

Question

Hi, this has probably been asked a million times, and I should know the answer but I am reading so many articles that I am completly confused! How does the forward motion of the car, gravity, air resistance and friction all effect a car going down a ramp, especially when you change the height of the ramp, its surface and the mass of the car? Have I moissed any froces out? Does any one know of any easy to read and digest books about this?

Thanks for any help
x

Answer 1

Given a ramp of angle A, a car mass m, and force of friction f.

Downward force
Fd=mg sin(A)
g - acceleration due to gravity.

Air resistance force Fa

force equation
Tonal force acting on the car is
F=Fd - Fa - f

There are other inertial forces too like moment of inertia of tires/wheels, but that is another level.