Is the Mass of the Second Person Required to Determine Force?

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The discussion revolves around determining the force exerted on a second person being pushed by a first person with a known mass of 125kg. Participants question whether the mass of the second person is necessary to calculate the force, given that the initial velocity of the push is 5.75 m/s and the second person travels 4m before stopping. There is confusion regarding the relevance of gravity in this horizontal motion scenario, as well as the clarity of the problem statement. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the need for precise wording in physics problems to avoid misunderstandings. Understanding the forces involved requires careful consideration of the parameters provided.
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Homework Statement


2 people. one has a mass of 125kg and pushes the other. the other travels 4m before stopping. the initial velocityof the push is 5.75m/s. Gravity is 1.67m/s2. What is the force acted on the second person.


Homework Equations


Is it even possible to figure this out without knowing the mass of the second person? (the one being pushed)


The Attempt at a Solution


I found the acceleration but it got me nowhere without knowing the mass of the other person.

Thanks so much for your quick replys. I need to figure this out within the next hour. :)
 
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According to Newton's third law, if A pushes on B with force F, then B pushes back on A with the same force in the opposite direction.

So if you can find the force on one person, you've got it for the other one, too.
 
Awesome. So how do I figure out the force of the first person. I have the mass (125kg) and gravity (1.67m/s2, but I'm not sure how you get the force with that. Gravity doesn't really affect the horizontal force I wouldn't think.
 
durkmusic said:

Homework Statement


2 people. one has a mass of 125kg and pushes the other. the other travels 4m before stopping. the initial velocityof the push is 5.75m/s. Gravity is 1.67m/s2. What is the force acted on the second person.
Is this really the exact wording of the question? Some things just don't make sense:

1. What does "the initial velocity of the push" mean? Is that the initial velocity of the 2nd person? The initial velocity of the two people relative to each other? Something else?

2. I don't believe the statement "Gravity is 1.67m/s2". Gravity is not relevant for horizontal motion, and that is not the acceleration due to gravity on the Earth. Or is this supposed to be on the moon?

Please phrase the problem exactly as it is written, if you haven't done so here.
 
I actually misread the question. It was only asking for the coefficient of friction.
 

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