Two horses begin pulling a 700-kg stagecoach. One horse pulls with a force of 590 N, while the other horse pulls in the same direction with a force of 630 N.

Question

Two horses begin pulling a 700-kg stagecoach. One horse pulls with a force of 590 N, while the other horse pulls in the same direction with a force of 630 N. If the stagecoach accelerates at 0.06 m/s2 , what is the force of friction?

Answer 1

Well F net = ma, so F net = 700 x 0.06 = 42 N

The horses pull with a net force of 590 + 630 = 1220 N

so the force of friction must be 1220 - 42 = 1170 N in the opposite direction to motion