A 150 kg bumper car accelerates uniformly from rest to 5 m/s in 4 seconds. What is the total work done on the car, in joules? Report your answer to 1 decimal place.

Answer 1

Using the Work Energy Theorem we get Work = Change in Kinetic Energy

Change in Kinetic Energy = (0.5)(150 kg) (5 m/s)^2 - 0 = 1875.0 J

Note we did not need the time but we could have done it by first finding the acceleration = 5m/s/4 = 1.25

The force = m * a = 187.5 N

Dist traveled in 5 s =0.5 x (0.8) x 5^2 = 10 m

Work = F x d = 187.5 x 10 m = 1875 J