Car and Trailer Acceleration Calculation

What are the net force on the car in the x-direction and the force exerted by the trailer on the car?

(a) What is the net force on the car in the x-direction?

(b) What is the magnitude and direction of the force exerted by the trailer on the car?

Answer:

(a) The net force on the car in the x-direction is 2,255 N (in the positive x-direction).

(b) The magnitude and direction of the force exerted by the trailer on the car are 2,255 N (in the negative x-direction).

(a) The net force on the car in the x-direction can be determined using Newton's second law of motion, which states that force equals mass multiplied by acceleration. We have the mass of the car, which is 1,025 kg, and the acceleration, which is 2.20 m/s^2. Plugging these values into the equation, we get:

Force = mass * acceleration

Force = 1,025 kg * 2.20 m/s^2

Force = 2,255 N (in the positive x-direction)

So, the net force on the car in the x-direction is 2,255 N.

(b) The force exerted by the trailer on the car can be determined using Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Since the car and trailer are connected, the force exerted by the trailer on the car is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the net force on the car. Therefore, the force exerted by the trailer on the car is also 2,255 N, but in the negative x-direction.

To summarize:

(a) The net force on the car in the x-direction is 2,255 N (in the positive x-direction).

(b) The magnitude and direction of the force exerted by the trailer on the car are 2,255 N (in the negative x-direction).