Truck Trailer Physics Explained: Heavy Loads and Bouncing Motion

Why does a heavily loaded trailer bounce slowly on the highway?

Is the assumption that applying exactly 100 N of force to move a box with a weight of 300 N accurate?

Answer:

The trailer of a freight truck bouncing slowly on the highway is likely heavily loaded due to the larger mass and resulting inertia, affecting the suspension system's response. The boy's assumption of applying exactly 100 N of force based on the ramp dimensions and box weight is false, as it neglects other factors like friction.

When observing a freight truck's trailer bouncing up and down slowly on the highway, it is an indication that the trailer is more likely heavily loaded rather than nearly empty. A heavily loaded trailer has a larger mass, which, according to Physics, translates into more inertia. This means that the suspension system has to work harder to absorb bumps and adjust to changes in the road surface, resulting in a slower response time and thus a slower bouncing motion. An empty trailer, by contrast, has much less mass and therefore less inertia, causing it to bounce more rapidly in response to road conditions.

Regarding the statement that a boy must have been pushing with a force of exactly 100 N because the ramp was 1.0 m high and 3.0 m long to move a box with a weight of 300 N, this is false. The actual force required would depend on various factors such as friction and the efficiency of the ramp, not just the height and length of the ramp or the weight of the object.