Basic force question(should be too easy)

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A supertanker with a mass of 1.0 X 10^8 kg accelerates from rest to 4.1 km/h over a distance of 3.5 km. The calculated acceleration is 2.4 m/s², but there is confusion regarding the application of formulas to find the unbalanced force. The correct answer for the force is 18529.5 N, which is derived from the equation F = mass × acceleration. There is a suggestion that unit conversion may have affected the initial acceleration calculation. Understanding work (W) and kinetic energy (KE) is also highlighted as important for solving the problem.
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Homework Statement


A supertanker of mass 1.0 X 10^8 travels 3.5km, reaching a speed of 4.1km/h from rest. What was the magnitude of the unbalanced force acting on it?


2. The attempt at a solution

I got the acceleration(2.4m/s^2), but how do I fit this into the equation? The answer is 18529.5N, but I have no idea how they got that.
 
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W=\Delta KE
 
Snazzy said:
W=\Delta KE
I've only taken physics for 2 months in my life, so please excuse me, but what the heck is W and what the heck is KE?
 
W is work, KE is the kinetic energy.
 
Snazzy said:
W is work, KE is the kinetic energy.

Im not used to using that formula. I usually use force=mass X acceleration.
 
Well, your acceleration is wrong, possibly due to the fact you forgot to convert units.
 

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