Explain why a 1375kg car with the same engine, producing the same acceleration (16m/s/s) as a 1400kg car might have a slight advantage? The 1400kg car uses a force of 22,400N and the 1375kg car uses a force of 22,000N to accelerate. Someone please help?
2 Answers
I can think of several aspects that the smaller car might have that would give it a slight advantage. See below.
Explanation:
The lower mass could make it more fuel efficient. Not for certain, but it "might".
It "might" drive better on twisty roads.
It "might" be considered to have more panache.
It "might" have a better radio.
The seats "might" be more comfortable.
The color of the paint "might" be more 'cool'.
Really vague question. The first thing I listed is probably the answer that was wanted, but I could not resist.
Steve
As the 1,375 kg car has less mass than the 1,400 kg car, its inertia is also slightly lower, which means it has a slight advantage.
Explanation:
As your question is related to Newton's Second Law, I take it the wanted answer has to do with inertia - the heavier mass a car has, the greater the force needs to be to change the velocity of the car.
I'd like to refer you to the following article on intertia on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inertia
