Question

A 500kg car is driven forward with a thrust force of 1500N. Air resistance and friction acts against the motion of the car with magnitude 200N and 300N respectively. What is the acceleration of the car?

Answer 1

2m/s^2, this is because F=ma, meaning a is also equal to F/m. The car applies 1500N in one direction and outside sources apply a total of -500N, meaning the 500kg car is moving forward with a total of 1000N of force. Taking the total 1000N and dividing it by 500kg gives you and acceleration of 2m/s^2. Hope this helps!