Question

An automobile vehicle has mass of 1500kg. What must be the force between the vehicle and road if the vehicle is to be stopped with a negative acceleration of 1.7m/s^2?

Answer 1

Mass of the vehicle, m = 1500 kg

Acceleration, a = – 1.7 m s–2

Force acting between the vehicle and road, F =?

We know that, F = m x a

Therefore, F = 1500 kg X 1.7 m s–2

Or, F = – 2550 N

Answer 2

Here,

 m = 1500 kg,

 a = – 1.7 m s–2,

 F = ?

 F = ma

 F = 1500 (–1.7) N 

= – 2550 N 

Negative sign indicates that force is opposing the motion of the vehicle.