Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Centripetal Acceleration
Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration directed towards the center of a circular path, necessary for an object to maintain circular motion. It is calculated using the formula a_c = v^2 / r, where v is the velocity and r is the radius of the circular path. In this scenario, the car experiences centripetal acceleration as it drives over the hill, which affects its overall acceleration when braking.
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Friction and Kinetic Friction Coefficient
Friction is the force that opposes the relative motion of two surfaces in contact. The coefficient of kinetic friction (μ_k) quantifies this force when an object is sliding. In this case, the coefficient of kinetic friction between the tires and the road is 0.75, which will determine the deceleration of the car as it skids after hitting the brakes.
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Newton's Second Law of Motion
Newton's Second Law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass, expressed as F = ma. This principle is crucial for calculating the car's deceleration due to friction and the net forces acting on it as it begins to slow down after braking.
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