An 1800-kg truck pulls a 710-kg trailer away from a stoplight with an acceleration of 1.20 m/s2. Part A What is the net force exerted by the truck on the trailer? Express your answer to three significant figures and include the appropriate units. Assume that the positive x axis is directed toward the direction of motion.

F = 852 N

Explanation:

We apply Newton's second law to the trailer:

F = m*a Formula (1)

F : net force exerted by the truck on the trailer Newtons (N)

m : mass of the trailer in kilograms (kg)

a : acceleration of the trailer in meters over second square (m/s²)

Data

a=1.20 m/s² : acceleration of the trailer

m=710 kg : mass of the trailer

We replace data in the Formula (1) to calculate the net force exerted by the truck on the trailer

F = (710 kg) * (1.20 m/s²)

F = 852 N