Question

A 6800-kilogram school bus hits the brakes and slows down at an acceleration of -2.5 m/s². What was the net force on the school bus from the brakes?

A) 1700 N
B) -1700 N
C) 17000 N
D) -17000 N

Answer 1

The net force on the school bus from the brakes is -17000 Newtons (N), indicating the force is in the opposite direction of the bus's motion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking to calculate the net force exerted by the brakes on a school bus as it slows down. To find this force, we can use Newton's second law of motion which states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by the acceleration (F = m * a). Given the mass of the bus is 6800 kilograms and the acceleration due to braking is -2.5 m/s², the net force can be calculated as follows:

F = m * a
F = 6800 kg * (-2.5 m/s²)
F = -17000 N
Thus, the net force on the school bus from the brakes is -17000 Newtons (N), which indicates the force is opposite the direction of motion.