- #1
eglaud
Homework Statement
A 2,300 kg truck pushes a 2,500 kg SUV, and they both move at 3.75 m/s2. I am to find the force that the SUV exerts on the truck.
Homework Equations
F=ma
The Attempt at a Solution
I solved this problem already, it was just taking the acceleration I had found (3.75) and multiplying it by the mass of the SUV, 2,500 kg. My issue is why can't we use Newtons Third Law here, and say that the force of the truck pushing on the suv (2,300 * 3.75) is the same as the force of the suv pushing back onto the truck? Why does this not apply? Some simple clarification would be fantastic, thanks!