Question

When a constant force acts upon an object, the acceleration of the object varies inversely with its mass. When a certain constant force acts upon an object with mass 4kg, the acceleration of the object is 15/ms2. If the same force acts upon another object whose mass is
10kg, what is this object's acceleration?

Answer 1

Answer:

$a = 6m/s^2$

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

When mass = 4kg; Acceleration = 15m/s²

Required

Determine the acceleration when mass = 10kg, provided force is constant;

Represent mass with m and acceleration with a

The question says there's an inverse variation between acceleration and mass; This is represented as thus;

$a\ \alpha\ \frac{1}{m}$

Convert variation to equality

$a = \frac{F}{m}$; Where F is the constant of variation (Force)

Make F the subject of formula;

$F = ma$

When mass = 4kg; Acceleration = 15m/s²

$F = 4 * 15$

$F = 60N$

When mass = 10kg; Substitute 60 for Force

$F = ma$

$60 = 10 * a$

$60 = 10a$

Divide both sides by 10

$\frac{60}{10} = \frac{10a}{10}$

$a = 6m/s^2$

Hence, the acceleration is $a = 6m/s^2$