Question

A 100 kg cyclist accelerates from rest to a speed of 8 m/s in 4s. What force would she

have to use the achieve this acceleration?

Answer 1

`F=200N`

Solution Pathway:

Variables:

`m=100kg\\a=?\\v=8m/s\\t=4s\\F=?`

Equation:

`F=ma`

• Force = mass × acceleration

`F=m((v)/(t))`

• acceleration = velocity ÷ time

Math:

`F=(100kg)((8m/s)/(4s))`

• Plug in your values given in the problem.

`F=(100kg)(2m/s^2)`

• 
  `m/s^2` shows that you plugged the right values into your velocity and time variables. Now solve.

`F=200N`