Two Trucks, same mass, one pulling other

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In summary, the maximum acceleration of a truck towing a truck with the same mass is equal to half of its original maximum acceleration. This is due to the inverse relationship between acceleration and mass, where doubling the mass results in halving the acceleration to maintain the same force.
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aeromat
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Homework Statement


The max. acceleration of a truck is 2.6m/s^2. If the truck tows another truck with a mass the same as its own, what is its maximum acceleration?


Homework Equations


Knowing that acceleration is inversely proportional to mass.


The Attempt at a Solution


a is inversely proportional to "m"-mass
2.6m/s^2 = 1/2m
...

However, this relationship doesn't make sense the way I have put it together. Can someone help me find a mathematical explanation to this?
 
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  • #2
F=ma Force=(Mass)(Acceleration)

If we keep Force the same then

F=(2m)(.5a)

As you can see all that happens to keep the force the same is to find the multiplicative inverse.

If you didn't decrease the acceleration then you would increase the Force.
To keep the equation equal.

2(F)=2(ma)=2ma
 

1. What is the concept behind "Two Trucks, same mass, one pulling other"?

The concept behind "Two Trucks, same mass, one pulling other" is to demonstrate the concept of force and Newton's laws of motion. In this scenario, both trucks have the same mass, but one is able to pull the other due to the force applied by the first truck.

2. How does the mass of the trucks affect the experiment?

The mass of the trucks affects the experiment as it determines the amount of force needed to move the trucks. In this scenario, since both trucks have the same mass, the force applied by the first truck is able to overcome the resistance of the second truck and move it forward.

3. What is the role of friction in this experiment?

The role of friction in this experiment is to provide the resistance that the second truck needs to overcome in order to move forward. Friction is the force that opposes motion and in this scenario, it acts on the second truck, making it difficult to move.

4. How does this experiment relate to Newton's laws of motion?

This experiment relates to Newton's first law of motion, also known as the law of inertia. It states that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. In this scenario, the second truck is at rest until the first truck applies a force and moves it forward.

5. Can this experiment be applied to real-life situations?

Yes, this experiment can be applied to real-life situations. For example, in the transportation industry, heavy trucks are often used to tow other trucks or vehicles that have broken down. The same concept of force and Newton's laws of motion apply in this scenario, where the first truck is able to pull the second truck due to the force it applies.

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