What Is the Acceleration of a Towed Glider?

AI Thread Summary
The problem involves calculating the acceleration of a glider towed by an airplane. Given the airplane's mass of 12,000 kg and the glider's mass of 6,000 kg, along with a net thrust of 36,000 N, the net force equation is applied. By summing the masses and using the formula a = F/(m1 + m2), the calculated acceleration is 2 m/s². The solution is confirmed as correct, with participants expressing surprise at the simplicity of the calculation. The discussion concludes with acknowledgment of the straightforward nature of the problem.
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Homework Statement



An airplane of mass 1.2 x 10^4 kg tows a glider of mass 0.6 x 10^4 kg. The airplane propellers provide a net forward thrust of 3.6 x 10^4. What is the gliders acceleration.

Homework Equations



F(net) = ma

The Attempt at a Solution



After drawing FBD's,

F(net) = ma
F = (m1 + m2)a
a = F/(m1 + m2)
= (3.6 x 10^4 N)/(1.2 x 10^4 kg + 0.6 x 10^4 kg)
=2 m/s^2

This seems way too easy, can anybody please help me?
 
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Looks right to me
 
Wow, that was easy! Thanks Mattowander.
 

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