A car of mass 760kg travel with a velocity of 14.0ms-1 . If the brakes are applied , the car travels a distance of 55.0m before coming to rest . Calculate the retarding force on the car

1 answer

We can use the equation:

v^2 = u^2 + 2as

where v = 0 (final velocity), u = 14.0 ms^-1 (initial velocity), s = 55.0 m (distance), and a is the acceleration.

Rearranging the equation, we get:

a = (v^2 - u^2) / 2s

a = (0^2 - 14.0^2) / (2 x 55.0)

a = -7.63 ms^-2 (the negative sign indicates that the acceleration is in the opposite direction to the initial velocity)

Now, we can use Newton's Second Law of Motion, which states that:

Force = mass x acceleration

Substituting the values, we get:

Force = 760 kg x (-7.63 ms^-2)

Force = -5801.6 N

The retarding force on the car is 5801.6 N, which is directed opposite to the car's initial velocity.