What force does the trailer exert on the car?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the force exerted by a trailer on a car during acceleration. A 1500 kg car pulls a 540 kg trailer with an acceleration of 2.00 m/s², leading to a calculated force of 1.08 kN for the car and 3.0 kN for the trailer. The correct approach involves applying Newton's 3rd law, which states that the forces are equal and opposite. The user initially miscalculated but later confirmed their understanding. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in grasping Newton's laws in physics.
Pencil
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
ugh I've got problems with Newton again. >.<

On vacation, your 1500 kg car pulls a 540 kg trailer away from a stop light with an acceleration of 2.00 m/s^2.
What force does the trailer exert on the car?

F=ma so: Force of car is 1.08 kN and Force of trailer is 3.0 kN. I thought it would be 1.08-3.0 but I was wrong. What do I need to do?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You need to invoke Newton's 3rd law: the law of equal and opposite action-reaction pairs.
 
Got it. Thanks. 1.08 kN. I acually got it the first time, only typed it in wrong. omg this class is going to kill me. I'm sure to have another question with in the next 3 minutes...
 
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'

Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'

TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
View full post »
Thread 'Struggling to make relation between elastic force and height'

Thread 'Struggling to make relation between elastic force and height'

Hello guys this is what I tried so far. I used the UTS to calculate the force it needs when the rope tears. My idea was to make a relationship/ function that would give me the force depending on height. Yeah i couldnt find a way to solve it. I also thought about how I could use hooks law (how it was given to me in my script) with the thought of instead of having two part of a rope id have one singular rope from the middle to the top where I could find the difference in height. But the...
View full post »

Similar threads

Force exerted from car on trailer question
Replies
7
Views
17K
How Do I Determine Force of Static Friction on a Rolling Car
Replies
15
Views
2K
Why Doesn't Newton's 3rd Law Apply Here?
Replies
8
Views
4K
Newton's Law: Solve Force on Car & Trailer
Replies
9
Views
23K
How Does Trailer Weight Impact the Work Done by a Car?
Replies
4
Views
6K
How much force does a moving car exert on to the road?
Replies
13
Views
3K
How Should Forces Be Calculated in a Truck-Trailer System?
Replies
4
Views
5K
A Level mechanics: Force exerted on a car by a trailer when brakes are applied
Replies
5
Views
16K
Calculating Deceleration and Force: Car and Trailer Braking Forces
Replies
2
Views
2K
How Much Force Does a Car Exert on the Road When Pulling a Trailer?
Replies
1
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top