Question

8. Two forces of 10 N and 30 N are applied to a 10 kg box. Find (1) the box’s acceleration when both forces point due east and (2) the box’s acceleration when 10 N force points due east and 30 N force points due west.

Answer 1

(1) acceleration, a = 4 m/$s^{2}$  (2) acceleration of 10 N, $a_{1}$ = 1 m/$s^{2}$ and acceleration of 30 N, $a_{2}$ = 3 m/$s^{2}$

Explanation:

• Here, the acceleration of the object could be found using the equation derived in the second law of motion. The equation is given as, F = ma where m is the acceleration of the object, m is the mass of the object and F is the applied on the object.
• Let $a_{1}$ be the acceleration for force 10 N, to find acceleration rearrange the equation to a = $\frac{F}{m}$. When we substitute 10 N force and 10 kg mass of the box in the equation. We will get $a_{1}$ = 1 m/$s^{2}$

• Let $a_{2}$  be the acceleration for force 30 N, to find acceleration rearrange the equation to F = $\frac{F}{m}$. When we substitute 30 N force and 10 kg mass of the box in the equation. We will get $a_{2}$ = 3 m/$s^{2}$
• To find the combined, just add the force and substitute in the above equation. Hence, a = 4 m/$s^{2}$