For a car with a mass of 1200kg, how long will it take for it to accelerate to 25m/s, starting from rest, with a total driving force of 1,500N?

This can be solved in 2 main sections: the first to find the acceleration of the car, and then the second to find how long it spends accelerating. To find the acceleration, Newton's 2nd Law (F=ma) can be used by first dividing each side by the mass to give us an equation for acceleration, a=F/m a=F/m  = 1500/1200 = 1.25 m/s^2 From this, the time can be found using the equation of motion: t = (v-u) / a ( v = final velocity (25 m/s), u = initial velocity (which we know to be 0m/s as the car starts from rest)) so t = (25 - 0) / 1.25   t = 20s It therefore takes 20 seconds for the car to reach 25 m/s.

CS
Answered by Christopher S. Physics tutor

5412 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A train accelerates from 10 m/s to 50 m/s in 20 seconds. Calculate the Acceleration


A force is applied to a box of mass 2kg so that is accelerates at 2ms^-2. Find the force acting on the box and thus calculate the work done in moving the box 10m in the direction of the force.


What's the difference between velocity and speed?


What energy transfers are involved in you being able to move?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning