Biophysics Problem 8

If you knew the acceleration then this should be a simple exercise of applying Newton's second law  \((F=ma).\)

To find the acceleration you will have to use one of the kinematic equations, each of which uses 4 of the variables. (ie: initial velocity, final velocity, distance, time, and acceleration).

List the three variables given and the one you wish to find.

Your list of known values should be:

\( \text{initial velocity}  \;  u = 15 \;m/s \\     \text{final velocity} \;       v = 0 \;m/s \\     \text{time}     \;       t = 4\;s\)

 You wish to find acceleration '\(a\)'.

 Write down the equation you would use to solve for '\(a\)'.

You should be using the formula

\( v = u + at\)

 Now solve for the acceleration \(a\).

Substitution into  \(v = u + at \;a\) should give:

\( v =   u        +    at \\         0 = 15 \;m/s  +  a \times 4 \;s\)

solve this to get:   

\( a = -3 \;m/s^2\)
 
So the magnitude of the acceleration is \(3.\)

Substitute into Newton's second law to find the force required to stop the mass.

The correct answer is \(15 \;N.\)

 Remember to specify the magnitude \((15)\) as well as the units \((N).\)