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 . Determine the tension force between the truck and the trailer, and detemine the force with which the truck is pulling.

Answer 1

Given:

Mass of truck, m1 = 3200 kg

Mass of trailer, m2 = 2400 kg

acceleration = 0.45 m/s²

Let's determine the following:

(a) The tension force between the truck and the trailer.

To find the tension between the truck and the trailer, apply the formula:

$F_{\text{net}}=a(m_1+m_2)$

Where:

Fnet is the tension between the truck and the trailer

a is the acceleration = 0.45 m/s²

m1 is the mass if the truck = 3200 kg

m2 is the mass of trailer = 2400 kg

Hence, we have:

$\begin{gathered} F_{net}=0.45(3200+2400) \\ \\ F_{\text{net}}=0.45(5600) \\ \\ F_{\text{net}}=2520\text{ N} \end{gathered}$

Therefore, the tension between the truck and the trailer is 2520N

(b) The force with which the truck is pulling.

The tension between the truck and the trailer is equivalent to the force on the trailer.

thus, we have:

$\begin{gathered} T=m_2a \\ \\ T=2400\times0.45 \\ \\ T=1080\text{ N} \end{gathered}$

Therefore, the force with which the truck is pulling is 1080N.

ANSWER:

(a) 2520N

(b) 1080 N