Question

Two bobsledders push a 232kg bobsled. The bobsled reaches an acceleration of 1.2x10^5 m/s^2. What is the force that the bobsledders needed to reach this acceleration?

Answer 1

Force = (mass) x (acceleration)

Force = (232 kg) x (1.2 x 10⁵ m/s²)

Force = 27,840,000 Newtons

Notes:

-- If they could reach this acceleration and keep it up for a little while, the sled would reach the speed of light in about 40 minutes.  Their team would get the gold medal for sure.

-- This acceleration is a little over 12,000 G's. The sled and the pushers will fall apart long before they reach it.

-- The force required (2.784 x 10⁷ Newtons) is the same as about 3 million pounds, or roughly 1,564 tons of force by EACH pusher.

-- If either of them isn't pushing exactly straight and horizontal, or if there's any air resistance, or if there's any friction between the sled runners and the snow, then they'll need MORE force to reach that acceleration.

Lotsa luck !