To accelerate a car we ignite petrol in the engine of the car. Since only an external force can accelerate the centre of mass, is it proper to say that "the force generated by the engine accelerates the car"?

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Solution

Yes, it's proper to say that the force generated by the engine accelerates the car. When petrol burns inside the engine, the piston moves, which in turn rotates the wheel. As the wheel rotates, the frictional forces from the road moves the car.

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