Question

. Now Sara comes along, and she is the exact same size as you. However, she is even stronger than you are! When she pulls you in the wagon, she pulls with a greater force than when you pull her. Now who is in the wagon when it has the greatest acceleration? Explain, using Newton's second law. Sara would win because she is stronger but we have the same force.

Answer 1

See explanation

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Newton's second law, the rate of change of momentum is proportional to the impressed force.

Mathematically;

Ft = mv - mu

Where;

F = Force

t = time

m= mass

v = final velocity

u = initial velocity

Since the mass is the same, the equation reduces to;

Ft = m(v-u)

So

F= m(v-u)/t

but

(v-u)/t = acceleration (a)

F = ma

a = F/m

Since the mass is the same because Sarah is the same size as i am but she pulls with a greater force, it follows that i will be the one in the wagon when the wagon has the greatest acceleration because the force that Sarah applies when pulling me is greater than the force i will apply when pulling her.