Question

A car initially contains just its driver. The combined mass of car and driver is 869 kg. When the gas pedal is pushed down all the way, the car reaches its maximum acceleration of 5.6 m/s2.If the driver then picks up three of his friends, the combined mass is increased by 300 kg. What is the maximum acceleration possible in units m/s2 now if the force provided by the engine remains the same as before? Round to one decimal place.

Answer 1

Answer:

4.2 m/s²

Explanation:

m = combined mass of car and driver = 869 kg

a = maximum acceleration reached by the car with driver in it = 5.6 m/s²

Force provided by the engine is given as

$F_{eng}$ = ma

$F_{eng}$ = (869) (5.6)

$F_{eng}$ = 4866.4 N

M = Combined mass of car, driver and his three friends = 869 + 300 = 1169 kg

a' = maximum acceleration reached with friends in the car = ?

Force provided by the engine remains same and is then given as

$F_{eng}$ = M a'

4866.4 = (1169) a'

a' = 4.2 m/s²