Question

A 89 kg bobsled is pushed along a horizontal surface by two athletes. After the bobsled is pushed a distance of 3.8 m starting from rest, its speed is 12.5 m/s. What is the magnitude of the net force (in Newtons) acting on the bobsled?

Answer 1

Answer:

Net force, F = 205.59 N

Explanation:

Given that,

Mass of a bobsled, m = 89 kg

Initial speed of the bobsled, u = 0

Distance travelled, d = 33.8 m

Final speed of the bobsled, v = 12.5 m/s

To find,

The magnitude of the net force

Solution,

Let a is the acceleration of the bobsled. Using the third equation of kinematics as :

$v^2-u^2=2ad$

$(12.5)^2=2a\times 33.8$

$a=2.31\ m/s^2$

Let F is the magnitude of net force acting on the bobsled. It can be calculated as :

$F=ma$

$F=89\ kg\times 2.31\ m/s^2$

F = 205.59 N

Therefore, the magnitude of the net force acting on the bobsled is 205.59 N.