Basic dynamics/acceleration question

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To determine the force required to stop a 1000kg car traveling at 27.0 m/s over a distance of 70.0 m, it's essential to use the kinematic equations for constant acceleration. Initially, the attempt to calculate the stopping force incorrectly assumed constant speed. After clarification, the correct approach involves applying the formula a = (Vf^2 - Vi^2)/2D to find acceleration, leading to a calculated force of 5.26 kN. Understanding the SUVAT equations is crucial for solving such dynamics problems effectively. This discussion highlights the importance of proper application of physics principles in problem-solving.
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Homework Statement



A 1000kg car is traveling at 27.0 m/s. Determine the force required to stop it in 70.0 m.

The Attempt at a Solution



I attempted to treat this question as if I knew how many seconds it took to stop, and did this:

70.0m / 27.0m/s = 2.59259s

2.59259s / 27.0m/s = 0.096

1000kg / 0.096 = 10414.29N

F = 10.4kN

But then I realized that this is all predicated on the idea that we are moving at 27.0 m/s throughout the whole 70.0m rather than accelerating. Now I have no idea what to do, and both of my textbooks are proving useless. Please help, and sorry if the question is messed up or hard to decipher, this is my first post.
 
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Mike_Stokes said:

Homework Statement



A 1000kg car is traveling at 27.0 m/s. Determine the force required to stop it in 70.0 m.


The Attempt at a Solution



I attempted to treat this question as if I knew how many seconds it took to stop, and did this:

70.0m / 27.0m/s = 2.59259s

2.59259s / 27.0m/s = 0.096

1000kg / 0.096 = 10414.29N

F = 10.4kN

But then I realized that this is all predicated on the idea that we are moving at 27.0 m/s throughout the whole 70.0m rather than accelerating. Now I have no idea what to do, and both of my textbooks are proving useless. Please help, and sorry if the question is messed up or hard to decipher, this is my first post.
You should first understand and become familiar with the SUVAT equations of motion for constant acceleration which you can find in any text to solve for the acceleration, then correctly apply Newton's Laws.
 
"suvat" equations are sometimes called "kinematic equations"
you can also work stuff out from the velocity-time diagrams.

you should have had some coursework about force and acceleration
- if you have not seen v-t diagrams, then you have probably had some work on average velocity.

Using average velocity to do this will make most people here cringe, but some courses do it that way at first.
 
Simon Bridge said:
"suvat" equations are sometimes called "kinematic equations"
you can also work stuff out from the velocity-time diagrams.

you should have had some coursework about force and acceleration
- if you have not seen v-t diagrams, then you have probably had some work on average velocity.

Using average velocity to do this will make most people here cringe, but some courses do it that way at first.

Ahh okay, yeah we've done kinematic equations, but I was having a hard time remembering them, and we never referred to SUVAT at all as an acronym. Thanks so much for the help guys, I finally got the right formula for the question:

a = (Vf^2 - Vi^2)/2D

F = 5.26kN

Thanks for helping my (now seeming stupid) question!
 
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