A 1000kg car accelerates from 0 to 20 m/s in 15 seconds. Calculate the acceleration of the car, the force required for this acceleration and the momentum of the car at 20 m/s.

The first part of the question, calculating the acceleration, uses the fact that acceleration equals the change in velocity divided by the time. In this case, the change in velocity is 20-0 and the time is 15 seconds, so 20/15 is 1.4. The units of acceleration are meters per second squared. To calculate the force we recall Newton's Second Law, F=ma, or force equals mass multiplied by acceleration. In this case F = 1000x1.4 or 1400. The units of force are Newtons (N). Finally, the momentum of the car at 20 m/s can be found using momentum equals mass multiplied by velocity. Here, we have 1000x20 = 20000 and the units are kilogram metres per second.

RM
Answered by Richard M. Physics tutor

4655 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A man decides to shoot a rifle whilst on a wheelchair. Explain in terms of conservation of momentum what happens to the man as the shot is fired.


The focal length of the lens is 10 cm. Calculate the power of the lens. State the unit.


A lamp has a rating of 18V 9W. How much energy is transferred to the bulb in 5 minutes? Calculate the current through it when connected to a 18V supply.


How do I work out the efficiency of a process from a Sankey diagram?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning