Question

A car cruises with constant velocity on a (low traffic) freeway at 70 mph (about 31 m/s). Wind resistance opposes the car's motion with a force of 5000 N. Intuitively is the forward force on the car less than 5000N, equal to 5000 N or more than 5000 N. Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The car is moving with uniform velocity . Hence there is no acceleration in the car .It indicates that net force on the car is zero . Since force in backward direction is exerted by the wind, to make net force zero , the forward push by the car must be equal to backward force by the wind. In other words

Forward force by car = backward force by wind = 5000 N.