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A bus and a car, moving at the same speed, are brought to rest by applying the same retarding force then:

Correct answer: B. car will come to rest in a shorter distance

  • A. bus will come to rest in a shorter distance
  • B. car will come to rest in a shorter distance
  • C. both will come to rest in the same distance
  • D. none of the above

Explanation

The distance they move will depend on their deceleration, which in turn would depend on the frictional force exerted by their respective brakes. If both were to experience the same frictional force 'F', then as per F=ma it is evident that the car having the lesser mass will decelerate faster ( greater magnitude of deceleration) and will therefore come to a halt sooner. Conceptually this is due to the effect of inertia as the bus has a greater mass of two vehicles.

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About Force and Motion

Displacement, velocity and acceleration describe motion, including the horizontal and vertical components of projectile motion. The chapter connects these quantities with Newton's laws, momentum and impulse, then applies conservation of momentum to collisions, distinguishing elastic collisions from inelastic ones.

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