Question

A toddler peddling a tricycle applies a net force of 150N to the pedals. We will assume that 100% of this force is transferred to foward motion. The grandmother of the toddler notice that the toddler on the tricycle is accelerating at a rate of 5m/s. what is the combined mass of the tricycle and toddler?

Answer 1

Data:

F = 150 N

a = 5 m/s^2 (I corrected the units of acceleration)

m = ?

Formula: F = m*a (second Law of Newton).

Solution:

F = m*a => m = F / a

=> m = 150 N / 5 m/s^2 = 30 kg

Answer: the combined mass of the tricycle and toddler is 30 kg.