Question

A 1,120-kg car is pulling a 290-kg trailer. Together, the car and trailer have an acceleration of 2.10 m/s2 in the positive x-direction. Neglecting frictional forces on the trailer, determine the following. (Indicate the direction with the sign of your answer. Take the forward direction to be positive. Assume the trailer's weight is entirely supported by it's own tires.)

Answer 1

Part a)

`F_1 = 2352 N`

Part b)

`F_2 = 609 N`

Part c)

As per Newton's III law force due to trailer on the car is same as that of force due to car on trailer.

Step-by-step explanation:

As we know that

mass of car = 1120 kg

mass of trailer = 290 kg

acceleration of both
`a = 2.10 m/s^2`

Part a)

Net force on the car

`F = ma`

`F_1 = 1120(2.10)`

`F_1 = 1120(2.10)`

`F_1 = 2352 N`

Part b)

Net force on the trailer is given as

`F_2 = ma`

`F_2 = 290(2.10)`

`F_2 = 609 N`

Part c)

Force applied by car on the trailer is given as

`T = F_2 = 609 N`

so as per Newton's III law force due to trailer on the car is same as that of force due to car on trailer.