Calculating Average Force
We can calculate the average acceleration of the Curiosity rover during its landing on Mars using the initial velocity, vi , the final velocity, vf , and the time it took to stop:

a=vf−vit

According to Newton’s second law, the average force required to slow the Curiosity rover to a stop, F , is equal to the mass of the rover, m , multiplied by its average acceleration, a :

F=ma

Use these equations to calculate the average force required to stop the Curiosity rover if the initial velocity is 5,300 m/s, the final velocity is 0 m/s, the time required to stop is 7 minutes, and the mass of the rover is 533 kg. (Be sure to convert the time, 7 minutes, to seconds!)