1. Gravity (Weight):
* This acts downwards, pulling the car towards the center of the Earth.
* It's balanced by the...
2. Normal Force:
* This is the upward force exerted by the road on the car's tires, counteracting gravity.
3. Air Resistance (Drag):
* This acts in the opposite direction of the car's motion.
* It's caused by the friction of the air as the car moves through it.
* At 50 mph, air resistance is a significant force.
4. Friction:
* This acts between the car's tires and the road, resisting the car's motion.
* It's important for maintaining traction and control.
* This force is often broken down into two components:
* Rolling Resistance: This is the friction between the tires and the road as they roll.
* Static Friction: This is the friction that keeps the tires from slipping on the road.
5. Engine Force (Thrust):
* This force acts in the direction of motion, propelling the car forward.
* Since the car is moving at a steady speed, the engine force is exactly balanced by the forces resisting motion (air resistance, friction).
Key Point: Since the car is moving at a constant speed, the forces acting on it are *balanced*. This means the forces pushing the car forward (engine force) are equal to the forces resisting its motion (air resistance, friction).
