Which would take the larger force to accelerate at a particular rate, a sports car or a moving van full of furniture? Why?
A moving van full of furniture would take a larger force because a heavy truck would accelerate less than the sports car?
Correct:
F = M*a.
a = F/M.
To determine which vehicle would require a larger force to accelerate at a particular rate, we need to consider Newton's second law of motion, which states that force (F) is equal to mass (m) multiplied by acceleration (a) - F = m * a.
In this case, we can compare the forces required for a sports car and a moving van full of furniture to accelerate at the same rate. The primary factor affecting the force needed is the mass of the vehicle.
While it is correct that a heavy truck (moving van full of furniture) would accelerate less than a sports car, it doesn't automatically mean it would require a larger force. Despite the difference in acceleration, the force required depends on the product of mass and acceleration.
Since the question states that both vehicles accelerate at the same rate, we can keep the acceleration constant. A moving van full of furniture has a significantly larger mass than a sports car, which means that the mass (m) is greater for the van.
Using Newton's second law, F = m * a, if the mass (m) is larger for the moving van, it follows that the force required (F) is also greater.
Therefore, a moving van full of furniture would require a larger force to accelerate at a particular rate compared to a sports car due to its greater mass.