A 50 N force gives an object an acceleration of 2.5 m/s^2. If the force is suddenly reduced to 20 N, what is the new acceleration?

Steps please, thank you ^_^"

2 Answers

#a=1ms^(-2)#

Explanation:

According to Newton's second law #rarr#

#F=ma#........(1).

#F=#the net force applied

#m=#the mass

#a=#the acceleration

1) find the mass

#50=2.5m# #larr# From (1).

#:.m=50/2.5=20kg#

Now whether an object undergoes acceleration or retardation, it's mass remains constant.

2) find the new acceleration

#20=20a# #larr# From (1).

#a=1ms^(-2)# (Answer).

In this case, the object had a retardation.

Hope it Helps:)

Oct 10, 2017

#a = 1 ms^-2#

Explanation:

# F = ma#

First case: #F = 50N#

#50N = m \times 2.5 (m/s^2)#

Mass #m# can be found from the above equation as:

# m = (50kg(m/s^2)) /( 2.5 m/s^2) #

# m = 20 kg#

Second case:

# F = 20N #

# F = ma#

#therefore a= F/m#

#therefore a = (20kg\timesms^-2 )/ (20kg)#

# therefore a = 1ms^-2#