An airplane with a mass of 1.2 x 10^4 kg tows a glider with a mass of .60 x 10^4 kg. If the airplane propellers provide a net forward thrust of 3.6 x10^4 N, what is the acceleration of the glider?

Answer 1

The airplane's propellers must accelerate both plane and glider at the same rate.

Use F = M a, with M = 1.8*10^4 kg

Answer 2

That's what I did. I hope it's right!

Answer 3

F=m.a force divided by mass equals acceleration
M= 1.20 x 10^4 =12,000
add the mass of glider which is 6,000 = total mass is 18,000
36,000
---------- = 2m/ s^2
18,000