Question

If a 425 kg elephant runs into a tree while accelerating at 3.5 m/s², what force does the elephant apply to the tree?

A. 1487.5 N
B. 1482.5 N
C. 435 N
D. 1457.5 N

Answer 1

The force the elephant applies to the tree is found by multiplying its mass (425 kg) by its acceleration (3.5 m/s²), resulting in a force of 1487.5 N.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the force that a 425 kg elephant applies to a tree when it is accelerating at 3.5 m/s², you would use Newton's second law of motion, which states that force equals mass times acceleration (F = m × a).

In this case, the mass of the elephant (m) is 425 kg and the acceleration (a) is 3.5 m/s². Multiplying these two values together gives us the force (F) in newtons that the elephant applies to the tree:

F = 425 kg × 3.5 m/s² = 1487.5 N

Thus, the correct answer is A. 1487.5 N.