A tow truck (2,000 kg) pushing a car (1,000 kg) experiences an average friction force of 13,000 N while accelerating from rest to a final velocity of 36 mi/hr (16 m/s). The air and the road exert an average resistive force of 1,000 N on the car. What force does the car exert on the tow truck?

Question

anonymous · Answer

This is worded in a tricky way. 

The total friction force on the tow truck is 13,000N. The problem then states that the friction force on the car is 1,000N. Since the tow truck and car are coupled, the friction force experienced by the car will effect the tow truck. 

Total Friction Force on Tow Truck = Tow Truck Friction + Car Friction