Question

A 2.2kg block being pulled across a table by a horizontal force of 60N also experiences a frictional force of 24N. What is the acceleration of the block?

Answer 1

According to Newton's second law, acceleration is $a = \frac{F}{m}$, where $F$ is the net force, acting on an object, and $m$ is the mass of the object. Frictional force $F_f$ is directed in the opposite direction to the applied horizontal force $F = 60 N$ , hence their net is $F - F_f = 36 N$. Hence, the acceleration is $a = \frac{ 36 N}{2.2 kg} \approx 16.37 \frac{m}{s^2}$.