The velocity of a body of mass 20 kg decreases from 20 ms–¹ to 5 ms–¹ in a distance of 100 m. Force on the body is
Solution:
We can use the work-energy principle to find the force.
Given:
- Initial velocity, \( u = 20 \, \text{m/s} \)
- Final velocity, \( v = 5 \, \text{m/s} \)
- Distance, \( s = 100 \, \text{m} \)
- Mass, \( m = 20 \, \text{kg} \)
Using the equation of motion:
\[
v^2 = u^2 + 2as
\]
\[
(5)^2 = (20)^2 + 2a(100)
\]
\[
25 = 400 + 200a
\]
\[
200a = -375 ;a = -\frac{375}{200} = -1.875 \, \text{m/s}^2
\]
Now, force \( F = ma \):
\[
F = 20 \times (-1.875) = -37.5 \, \text{N}
\]
Thus, the force on the body is -37.5 N (opposite to the direction of motion).