Question

A car has a mass of 1600 kg. It is stuck in the snow and is being pulled out by a cable that applies a force of 7560 N due north. The resistance of the snow and mud also applies a force to the car, which has a magnitude of 7340 N and points due south. What is the acceleration of the car?

a)0.14 m/s2 north



b)4.7 m/s2 north



c)4.6 m/s2 south



d)9.3 m/s2 south



e)There is not enough information to determine the car’s acceleration.

Answer 1

The answer is a) 0.14 m/s² north.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mass of car = 1,600 kg

The action force of the cable on the car = 7,560 N due north

but the force of resistance (reaction) of the snow and mud on the car = 7,340 N due south

Therefore, the net force on the car = 7,560 — 7,340 = 220 N (or 220 kgm/s²) due north (in the direction of the greater force)

In order to calculate the acceleration of the car, we will use the formula: Force = mass × acceleration

therefore, acceleration = Force ÷ mass

acceleration = 220 kgm/s² ÷ 1,600 kg = 0.1375 m/s² = 0.14 m/s²

This answer corresponds with option a).