
Gabe M.
asked 11/24/17Finding Distance Using Mass and Force
In a grocery store, you push a 17.5 kg shopping cart with a force of 12.0 N. If the cart starts at rest, how far does it move in 3.00 s?
How would I solve this? It's for an online class I'm taking, and the notes say literally nothing about this. Would I use F=MA?
Thanks in advance.
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2 Answers By Expert Tutors

Arturo O. answered 11/24/17
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Experienced Physics Teacher for Physics Tutoring
If the net applied force is a constant F = 12.0 N (see my comment) throughout the entire travel distance of x, then you have constant acceleration motion, and
x(t) = (1/2)at2 + v0t + x0
a = F/m = (12.0 N)/(17.5 kg) ≅ 0.6857 m/s2
v0 = 0 (started from rest)
x0 = 0 (set origin at the start point)
⇒
x(t) = (1/2)at2 = (1/2)(F/m)t2
x(3) = 0.5(0.6857)(32) m ≅ 3.086 m
Michael J. answered 11/24/17
Tutor
5
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Effective High School STEM Tutor & CUNY Math Peer Leader
You would use F = ma. However, you want the distance. So you have to solve for a first. Then use the formula for velocity and distance to get your distance.
a = F / m
a = 12 / 17.5
a = 0.686 m/s2
Then, use the formula
d = vt
We can write v in terms of a and t,
a = v/t
v = at
Then your formula for distance, substituting in the value of v is
d = (at)t
d = at2
d = (0.866 m/s2)(3 s2)
Gabe M.
For the final part, you mean .686, right?
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11/24/17
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Arturo O.
11/24/17