Calculating Average Net Force of 810-kg Car

AI Thread Summary
An 810-kg car accelerates from rest to 27 m/s over a distance of 120 m, requiring the calculation of the average net force. Initial calculations incorrectly used constant velocity, leading to an erroneous time of 4.4 seconds. The correct approach involves using the equations of motion, resulting in a time of approximately 8.89 seconds and an acceleration of 3.04 m/s². This yields an average net force of about 2462.4 N when applying F = ma. The discussion emphasizes the importance of using appropriate kinematic equations for accelerating objects.
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An 810-kg car accelerates from rest to 27m/s in a distance of 120m. What is the magnitude of the average net force acting on the car?

120m / 27m/s= 4.4 s

F=ma
=810kg * 4.4s
= 3600 N

This is not one of my choices. What did I do wrong?
 
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brncsfns5621 said:
An 810-kg car accelerates from rest to 27m/s in a distance of 120m. What is the magnitude of the average net force acting on the car?

120m / 27m/s= 4.4 s

F=ma
=810kg * 4.4s
= 3600 N

This is not one of my choices. What did I do wrong?

You can not apply t = s / v, because the car is accelerating. The velocity of the car is given with 27 = a * t. The second equation is the displacement of the car, 120 = 1/2*a*t^2. Now, plug in the first equation into the second one, and get the time and acceleration. Then you can calculate the average force acting on the car.
 
So, using your equations I get:

120m = 1/2 (27m/s)^2
120m = 1/2 (729m^2/s^2)
120m = 364m^2/s^2
rearrange--> s^2 = 364m^2/120m
s^2 = 3.03m

This isn't right...
 
Anyone have any info on this?
 
brncsfns5621 said:
Anyone have any info on this?

You have two equations:

(1)... 27 = a*t
(2)... 120 = 1/2*a*t^2

From (1) you obtain a = 27/t. Putting that into (2) gives t = 8.89 seconds, which implies (from (1) ) a = 3.04 m/s^2. Hence, F = m*a implies F = 810 * 3.04 = 2462.4 [N]. Do not mix units with variables. You do not have tu put units (such as m/s, for example) into your equations. In other words, you wrote
brncsfns5621 said:
...s^2 = 3.03m

This isn't right...
which reads: 'Seconds squared equals 3.03 meters.' Does not make any sense, right?
 
Last edited:
WOW! I brain farted that one. For some reason I was thinking to replace the "a*t" with 27. Don't know why... Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.
 
solve the problem

a = ?
a = v/t
solve t using d=.5(v-V)t
t= 8.8sec

sub in the equation
a = (27m/s)/8.8sec
a = 3.06m/s^2

F= mass*acceleration
810kg*3.06m/s^2 = 2485N = 2500N
 
KE = 1/2 * m v^2
KE = (1/2) (810) (27^2)
W= deltaKE
W = (1/2) (810) (27^2)
W = force * distance
(1/2)(810)(27^2) = 120*F
F= [(1/2)(810)(27^2)] / (120)
F= 2460.375 N
 
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