Question

1. a rider and motorcycle with a combined mass of 250 kilograms are driving down the road at a constant speed of 55 mph. the motorcycles engine is producing a force of 1,700 newtons between the tires and the road.

a. find the weight of the motorcycle and rider in newtons.
b. find the normal force of the road on the motorcycle and rider.
c. find the frictional force of the road and air on the motorcycle and rider.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the weight

Weight \(W = mg\), where \(m = 250\space kg\) and \(g=9.8\space m/s^{2}\)
\(W=250\times9.8\)

Step2: Determine the normal force

Since there is no vertical acceleration (\(a_y = 0\)), by Newton's second law \(F_{net,y}=N - W=0\), so \(N = W\)

Step3: Find the frictional force

Since the motorcycle is moving at a constant speed (\(a_x=0\)), by Newton's second law \(F_{net,x}=F - f = 0\), where \(F = 1700\space N\) (engine force), so \(f=F\)

Answer:

a. \(W = 250\times9.8=2450\space N\)
b. \(N = 2450\space N\)
c. \(f = 1700\space N\)