Question

A 1500 kg car is pushing a 4000 kg truck. The car and truck are accelerating at 2.0 m/s^2. Assuming that the frictional force on the truck is negligible, what force is the truck exerting on the car?

Answer 1

To solve this problem we will use the Force equation according to the definition given in Newton's second law. There we have that the Force is equal to

$F =ma$

Where,

m = mass

a = acceleration

Our values are given as

$m_1 = 1500 kg$

$m_2 = 4000 kg$

$a = 2.0 m/s^2$

Considering that both mass are equal to one, we have that:

$F = (m_1+m_2)* a$

$F = (1500 + 4000)(2.0)$

$F = 11000 N = 11kN$

Therefore the truck exert a force on the car of 11kN