A student pushes four identical trolleys on a smooth horizontal floor by applying the…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A student pushes four identical trolleys on a smooth horizontal floor by applying the same horizontal force each time. The masses of the trolleys are 2kg, 4kg, 6kg and 8kg respectively.
(i) Which trolley will gain the largest acceleration? Give a reason.
(ii) Arrange the trolleys in order from the easiest to the hardest to set into motion and explain the basis of your ranking.
(iii) After reaching the same speed, the student stops pushing. Which trolley will be the most difficult to bring to rest by hand? Justify your answer briefly.