Question

A 2 N and an 8 N force pull on an object to the right and a 4 N force pulls on the same object to the left. If the object has a mass of 0.5 kg, what would be its acceleration?

Answer 1

Answer:

a = 12 [m/s²]

Explanation:

To solve this problem we must use Newton's second law which tells us that the sum of forces on a body is equal to the product of mass by acceleration.

ΣF = m*a

where:

ΣF = sum of forces acting on a body [N] (units of Newtons)

m = mass = 0.5 [kg]

a = acceleration [m/s²]

Let's take the direction of positive forces to the right and negative forces directed to the left

2 + 8 - 4 = 0.5*a

6 = 0.5*a

a = 12 [m/s²]