Question #b7a84

1 Answer
Daniel W.
Dec 2, 2015

F=480 N

Explanation:

The special case of Newton's second law of motion relates resultant force and acceleration:
F=ma

The question specifies that the acceleration is uniform, so we can use the equations of uniform acceleration to determine the value of a for F=ma. 

**Stage 1: Determine which "suvat" equation to use. **
List all values we know:
s: 32 m
u: 0 m s^(-1)
v: × 
a:?
t: 12.0 s

So we need.to use the equation that does not have v in it, i.e. s=ut +½ at^2. 

Rearrange for the unknown, a (u=0 so ut=0), and substitute cakes into the equation. 
s=½ at^2 ⇒ a=2s/t^2=(2 × 32) / 12^2 = 0.4444 m s^(-2)

**Stage 2 : Use that acceleration to calculate the force. **
The mass of the pachyderm is given as 1080 kg.
F=ma=1080×0.4444= 479.952 N

To 3 s.f that is F = 480 N

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