Question

A 4768-kg roller coaster train full of riders approaches the loading dock at a speed of 17.1 m/s. It is abruptly decelerated to a speed of 2.2 m/s over a distance of 13.6 m. Determine the retarding force that acts upon the roller coaster cars.

Answer 1

To determine the force, we need to use Newton's second law of motion: \(F=ma\). Since \(m\) is given, we have to find \(a\).

From the given information (\(v_{initial}\), \(v_{final}\), and \(s\)), we should apply the formula \(v_{final}^2-v_{initial}^2=2as\) to calculate \(a\).