Question

A 75 kg bobsled is pushed along a horizontal surface by two athletes. After the bobsled is pushed a distance of 4.5m starting from rest, it’s speed is 6.0m/s. Find the magnitude of the net force on the bobsled.

Answer 1

Answer:

The net force acting on the bobsled is 300 N.

Explanation:

Given:

Mass of the bobsled is, $m=75\ kg$

Displacement is, $d=4.5\ m$

Initial speed is, $u=0$m/s

Final speed is, $v=6.0$ m/s

Net acceleration acting on the bobsled can be determined using the following Newton's equation of motion:

$v^2=u^2+2ad$

Plug in all the given values and solve for acceleration, $a$.

$(6.0)^2=0+2a(4.5)\\36=9a\\a=\frac{36}{9}=4\ m/s^2$

Now, as per Newton's second law, net force is the product of mass and acceleration. So,

$F_{net}=ma\\F_{net}=75\times 4=300\ N$

Therefore, the net force acting on the bobsled is 300 N.