Question

What acceleration will result when a 12 N net force applied to a 3kg object? A 6kg object?

Answer 1

a) By the definition of the Newton's Second Law of Motion, we have:

$$F_{net}=ma,$$ $$a=\dfrac{F_{net}}{m}=\dfrac{12\ N}{3\ kg}=4\ \dfrac{m}{s^2}.$$

b) We can find the acceleration of the 6 kg object using the same formula:

$$a=\dfrac{F_{net}}{m}=\dfrac{12\ N}{6\ kg}=2\ \dfrac{m}{s^2}.$$

Answer:

a) $a=4\ \dfrac{m}{s^2}.$

b) $a=2\ \dfrac{m}{s^2}.$