The four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicle has a mass of 385 kg with center of mass G2. The driver has a mass of 75 kg with center of mass G1. If all four wheels are observed to spin momentarily as the driver attempts to go forward, what is the forward acceleration of the driver and ATV

The coefficient of friction is missing and it has a value of μ = 0.4

a = 3.924 m/s²

Explanation:

I've attached the kinematic free body diagram.

Taking the sum of all upward and downward forces,

EFy = 0;

N1 + N2 - m_p•g - m_v•g = 0

N1 + N2 = m_p•g + m_v•g

Where;

N1 and N2 are the normal reactions at the wheels

m_p is the mass of the driver

m_v is the mass of the vehicle

g is the acceleration due to gravity.

Plugging in the relevant values in the question,we obtain;

N1 + N2 = (385 + 75) x 9.81

N1 + N2 = 4512.6N - - - (eq1)

Now, taking sum of all horizontal forces;

EFx = (m_p + m_v) x a

So,

μ(N1 + N2) = (mp + mv) x a

Thus,

0.4(N1 + N2) = (385 + 75)a

0.4(N1 + N2) = 460a

N1 + N2 = 1150a

From eq(1),N1 + N2 = 4512.6N

Thus,

1150a = 4512.6N

a = 4512.6/1150

a = 3.924 m/s²

Therefore, the acceleration, a = 3.924 m/s²