Question

a driver accelerates his car at the rate of 1.8m/sec sq. and then at the rate of 1.2m/sec sq. calculate the ratio of the force exerted by the engine in the 2 cars.

Answer 1

we know that the force is given as a product of mass (m) and acceleration (a)

so,

F = ma

now,

in the first case

a₁ = 1.8 m/s²

so,

F₁ = 1.8m ...................(1)

and

in the second case [here mass 'm' remains constant]

a₂ = 1.2 m/s²

so,

F₂ = 1.2m ...................(2)

thus, the ratio of forces will be

F₁ / F₂ = 1.8m / 1.2m

so,

F₁ / F₂ = 1.5