A 1500 kg car moving with a speed of 20 m/s collides with a utility pole and is brought to rest in 0.30 s. Find the magnitude of the average force exerted on the car during the collision.

Question

Krystal

Physics

13 December, 20:46

A 1500 kg car moving with a speed of 20 m/s collides with a utility pole and is brought to rest in 0.30 s. Find the magnitude of the average force exerted on the car during the collision.

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Answers (1)

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Sarah Ayers · Answer 1

-100000 N.

Explanation:

Force: This can be defined as the product of the mass of a body and it's acceleration. The S. I unit of Force is Newton (N). The Formula of force is given as,

F = ma ... Equation 1

Where F = Average force exerted on the car, m = mass of the car, acceleration of the car, a = acceleration of the car.

a = (v-u) / t ... Equation 2

Where v = Final velocity, u = Initial velocity, t = time.

Substitute equation 2 into equation 1

F = m (v-u) / t ... Equation 3

Given: m = 1500 kg, u = 20 m/s, v = 0 m/s (brought to rest), t = 0.3 s.

Substitute into equation 3

F = 1500 (0-20) / 0.3

F = 1500 (-20) / 0.3

F = - 100000 N.

Note: The negative sign is due to the fact that the force exerted on the car by the pole is equal and opposite the force of the car.