Question

A large truck with a mass of 3200 kg is pulling a trailer with a mass of 2400 kg. Both are accelerating at a rate of 0.45 m/s^2 . Determine the tension force between the truck and the trailer, and determine the force with which the truck is pulling.


I'm not sure how to find the tension force, but I think that the force pulling the truck would be found using f=ma, where m= 3200kg and a=0.45m/s^2, and the answer is 1440J

Answer 1

force is in Newtons (not Joules)

the force with which the truck is pulling is accelerating the truck and the trailer...you're on the right track...just use both masses
... f = (truck + trailer) * a

the force pulling the trailer is the tension between them
... tension = trailer * a