If a truck (mass=1750kg) is pulling a trailer (mass=250kg) and the combination is accelerating at 3 meters per second, what is the tension between the truck and trailer? (Rolling friction is assumed to be zero and the road is level.)
2007-02-21 07:58:19 · 2 answers · asked by GSU 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
T = m a
t is tension
m = mass of trailer
a= acceleration of trailer (which is equal to accn of system)
T= 250 * 3 =750 N
2007-02-21 08:04:56 · answer #1 · answered by Curious23 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The system (M = 1750 kg and m = 250 kg) is accelerating at a = 3 m/sec^2 (NOT 3 m/sec as you indicate). Ignoring the mass of the tow line, the tension cannot be greater than T = ma when the tow line remains the same distance between the truck and trailer because Ma (a greater force) would cause the line to part or the trailer to accelerate towards the truck, depending on other factors like strength of materials and construction of the line. Thus, T = ma = 250 kg X 3 m/sec^2 = 750 kg-m/sec^2 (aka Newtons).
2007-02-21 18:30:21 · answer #2 · answered by oldprof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋