Colubrae D.

asked • 05/25/15

how much force is generated from 5000 grams of steel dropping from 5 meters?

I am having problems with this problem

Hannah G.

Hi Colubrae,
 
So first you need to make sure you convert your units into kg*m/s^2 because force is measured in newtons and you're given grams. After you've done that, you have your acceleration which is the gravitational constant and it's negative since it's going in the negative y direction. So just plug all that information into F=(m)(a).
Report

05/25/15

2 Answers By Expert Tutors

By:

Andrew D. answered • 05/25/15

Tutor
5 (15)

Harvard Grad offers Test Preparation and Tutoring

See tutors like this
See tutors like this
F=ma
 
The steel will be accelerated towards the centre of the earth by gravity g=circa 9.8m/s/s
F=circa 49kgm/s/s=circa 49N (Newtons) towards centre of earth (ground)
 
Note it doesn't matter how high the steel is dropped from or its velocity (assuming no air resistance)
 
(If it hits the ground it still hits with the same force but if it bounces not all of the force is transferred...this is what Jim S means in his comments about impact force.  But I think we can assume the question wants to know what force is generated in freefall.)
 
Upvote • 0 Downvote
More
Report

Still looking for help? Get the right answer, fast.

Ask a question for free

Get a free answer to a quick problem.
Most questions answered within 4 hours.

OR

Find an Online Tutor Now

Choose an expert and meet online. No packages or subscriptions, pay only for the time you need.