Question

A 1700kg rhino charges at a speed of 50.0km/h. what is the magnitude of the average force needed to bring the rhino to a stop in 0.50s?

Answer 1

Impulse equals Change in Momentum
F = average applied force = to be determined
Δt = time during which the force is applied = 0.50 s
m = mass = 1,700 kg
Δp = change in momentum = to be determined
Δv = change in velocity = to be determined
v1 = initial velocity = 50.0 km/h = 50,000 m/h = 13.9 m/s
v2 = final velocity = 0.00 km/h = 0.00 m/s

F∙Δt = Δp
F∙Δt = m∙Δv
F∙Δt = m∙(v2 - v1)

F = m∙(v2 - v1) / Δt
F = 1,700 kg∙(0.00 m/s - 13.9 m/s) / 0.50 s
F = -47,222 N The negative sign means that the force vector is 
applied AGAINST the momentum vector of the rhinoceros.