Under the influence of its drive force, a snowmobile is moving at a constant velocity along a horizontal patch of snow. When the drive force is shut off, the snowmobile coasts to a halt. The snowmobile and its rider have a mass of 136 kg. Under the influence of a drive force of 245 N, it is moving at a constant velocity whose magnitude is 5.11 m/s. The drive force is then shut off. Find (a) the distance in which the snowmobile coasts to a halt and (b) the time required to do so.

Answer 1

a. a = F/m = 245/136 = 1.80 m/s^2.
d = (V^2-Vo^2)/2a.
d = (0-(5.11)^2)/3.6 = 7.25 m.

b. T = (V-Vo)/a = (0-5.11)/-1.80 = 2.84 s.