If a net force accelerates a 4.5-kg tool at 40 m/s², what acceleration would that same net force give to an 18-kg tool?
A) 9.8 m/s²
B) 160 m/s²
C) 10 m/s²
D) 32 m/s²
E) 180 m/s²

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force applied to both tools is the same, so we use Newton's second law (F = ma) to find the acceleration. For the 4.5-kg tool, F = 4.5kg * 40m/s². To find the acceleration of the 18-kg tool with the same force, rearrange the formula to a = F/m. Since the 18-kg tool is four times heavier, its acceleration will be a quarter of the 4.5-kg tool's acceleration, which is 40m/s² / 4 = 10m/s².

If a Net Force Accelerates a 4