An airplane of mass 1.2 × 10⁴ kg tows a glider of mass 0.6 × 10⁴ kg.The airplane propellers provide a net forward thrust of 5.4 × 10⁴ N.What is the glider's acceleration? A) 2.0 m/s² B) 3.0 m/s² C) 6.0 m/s² D) 9.8 m/s²

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The total mass of the system (airplane + glider) is 1.2 × 10^4 kg + 0.6 × 10^4 kg = 1.8 × 10^4 kg. Using Newton's second law, F = ma, the acceleration a = F/m = 5.4 × 10^4 N / 1.8 × 10^4 kg = 3.0 m/s².

An Airplane of Mass 1