Question

You have a car (2000kg) that is accelerating uphill at 5.5 m/s what was the force (N) applied to the car? Remember (F=ma - mg

Answer 1

The force applied to the car was 30,600 N

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the second Newton's law, the net force applied to an object of mass m is:

`F_n=m.a\qquad\qquad [1]`

Where a is the acceleration at which the object moves. The net force can be also calculated as the sum of all forces acting on the body.

We have a car of m=2000 Kg, being accelerated at 5.5 m/s^2 by a force F (unknown) directed upwards.

Considering the force is upwards and the weight of the car (W) is directed downwards, the net force is:

`F_n=F-W\qquad\qquad [2]`

Being W=m.g

Equating [1] and [2]:

`F-W=m.a`

Adding W:

`F=W+m.a`

`F=m.g+m.a`

`F=m(g+a)`

Substituting:

`F=2000(9.8+5.5)`

`F=2000(15.3)`

F=30,600 N

The force applied to the car was 30,600 N