Computing force given mass and distance

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Rodj Obiso
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Computing Force Mass
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
6 replies · 2K views
Rodj Obiso
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
if you have an object weighing 50kgs, and you have to move it forward with a distance of 500m, no time given, what force do you need?

Force is equal to the product of mass and
acceleration?
acceleration is not given.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes., sliding on the ground.
 
okay. I'm on it.
Thank you!
 
Yes if it is sliding on the ground and you know the coefficient of friction then you will be able to calculate the acceleration of the object from applying a given force
 
Rodj Obiso said:
if you have an object weighing 50kgs, and you have to move it forward with a distance of 500m, no time given, what force do you need?

There is no unique answer. To move the object, you can use any force that overcomes the static friction force. Larger forces will move it the required distance in shorter times.