A 1200 kg car slows speeds up from 15 m/s to 30 m/s over a distance of 50 m. How much force was applied to the car?

Question

I'm working on school work and I'm not sure how to solve this problem. Can someone please help.

Answer 1

Given: m = 1200 kg

v₀ = 15 m/s

v = 30 m/s

Δx = 50 m

Use the givens in the below kinematic equation to solve for acceleration (a):

v² = v₀² + 2aΔx

a = (v² - v₀²) / (2Δx) = ((30 m/s)² - (15 m/s)²) / (2 * 50 m) = 6.75 m/s²

Use force = mass * acceleration to solve for force (F):

F = m * a = 1200 kg * 6.75 m/s² = 8100 N