Question

identical pickup trucks are driving down the same smooth road at the same speed. each truck is carrying a different load of objects. the trucks approach a stoplight and begin to brake. the trucks have the same acceleration as they slow down. order the loads to show the size of the force on each truck as it slows down. larger force 5 bags of fertilizer 10 buckets of paint 20 concrete blocks 2 potted palm trees smaller force

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate mass of each load

• For 5 bags of fertilizer: \(m_1 = 5\times30=150\space kg\)
• For 10 buckets of paint: \(m_2 = 10\times20 = 200\space kg\)
• For 20 concrete blocks: \(m_3=20\times13 = 260\space kg\)
• For 2 potted palm trees: \(m_4=2\times70=140\space kg\)

Step2: Use Newton's second law \(F = ma\)

Since \(a\) (acceleration) is the same for all trucks. The force \(F\) is directly proportional to mass \(m\) (\(F = ma\), \(a=\text{constant}\)). So, we order the masses from largest to smallest.

Answer:

20 concrete blocks, 10 buckets of paint, 5 bags of fertilizer, 2 potted palm trees