Chapter 4, Problem 3P

How much tension must a rope withstand if it is used to accelerate a 1210-kg car horizontally along a frictionless surface at 1.20 m/s²?

To determine

The tension that a rope must withstand if it is used to accelerate a car horizontally along a frictionless surface.

Answer to Problem 3P

Solution:

Tension on a car along a frictionless surface is $1452\text{ N}$.

Explanation of Solution

The tension in a rope that it can withstand if it is used to accelerate a car horizontally i.e. the car is accelerated and horizontal tension is the force exerted horizontally to the car. The expression for the horizontal force or tension is given below:

$T=ma$………… (1)

Here, $m$ is the mass of the car and $a$ is its acceleration.

Given:

Mass of a car $m=1210\text{ kg}$

Acceleration of a car $a=\text{1}{\text{.20 m/s}}^2$

Formula used:

$T=ma$

Calculation:

Substitute, $m=1210\text{ kg}$ and $a=\text{1}{\text{.20 m/s}}^2$ in equation (1)so the tension is given as follows:

  T=ma

    =1210 kg(1.20 m/s²)

    =1452 N