Mass of the motor car, m = 1200 kg
Initial velocity of the motor car, u = 90 km/h = 25 m/s
Final velocity of the motor car, v = 18 km/h = 5 m/s
Time taken, t = 4 s
According to the first equation of motion: v = u + at
5 = 25 + a (4)
a = – 5 m/s2
Negative sign indicates that its a retarding motion i.e. velocity is decreasing.
Change in momentum = mv – mu = m (v – u)
= 1200 (5 – 25) = – 24000 kg m s -1
Force = Mass × Acceleration = 1200 × – 5 = – 6000 N
Acceleration of the motor car = – 5 m/s2
Change in momentum of the motor car = – 24000 kg m s -1
Hence, the force required to decrease the velocity is 6000 N.
(Negative sign indicates retardation, decrease in momentum and retarding force)