A cart of mass 1000 kg is pulled by a horse of 200kg. The coefficient of friction between them and ground is 0.2. Calculate the force required to produce acceleration of 2 m/s^2 in the cart??'

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Answer 1 · 2018-07-16T22:49:00

#F_"pull" = 3960 N#

The net force required to give the cart acceleration of #2 m/s^2# is given by

#F_"net" = m*a = 1000 kg*2 m/s^2 = 2000 kg*m/s^2 = 2000 N#

The friction between the cart and the ground will be in the opposite direction of the pull on the cart.

The friction, #F_f#, will be

#F_f = mu_k*N = 0.2*m*g = 0.2*1000 kg*9.8 m/s^2#

#F_f = 1960 kg*m/s^2 = 1960 N#

Therefore, the #2000 N# net force is the resultant of the 2 forces on the cart.

#F_"net" = 2000 N = F_"pull" - F_f = F_"pull" - 1960N

#2000 N = F_"pull" - 1960N#

#F_"pull" = 2000 N + 1960 N = 3960 N#

... Assuming level ground.

I hope this helps,
Steve