What is the concept of average force and how is it calculated?

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SUMMARY

The average force acting on a 1150kg airplane during its acceleration to a takeoff speed of 31m/s over 7.3 seconds is calculated using Newton's second law, F = ma. The correct calculation involves determining the acceleration first, which is 31m/s divided by 7.3 seconds, resulting in an acceleration of approximately 4.25 m/s². Multiplying this acceleration by the mass of the airplane yields an average force of 4883.6N, confirming the initial calculation was accurate.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law of motion
  • Basic knowledge of acceleration calculations
  • Familiarity with unit conversions (e.g., seconds to meters per second)
  • Ability to perform multiplication and division with units
NEXT STEPS
  • Study detailed examples of force calculations in physics
  • Learn about the implications of mass and acceleration in real-world scenarios
  • Explore the concept of net force and its applications in aviation
  • Investigate how to calculate forces in different contexts, such as friction and drag
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of force and motion, particularly in the context of aviation dynamics.

jeansbeans
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Homework Statement



A 1150kg airplane starts from rest and accelerates forward for 7.3 seconds until it reaches its takeoff speed of 31m/s. What is the average force on the airplane during this time?

I tried F= ma, but I get a number that is far too large.
F= 1150kg times (31/7.3) = 4883.6N I tried on a similar problem with a similar weight and got an answer in the hundreds when the answer was simply 6N. Help please.
 
Last edited:
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Your answer is correct.
 

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