Question

Two forces are applied to a 50 kg block on a frictionless , horizontal surface. The acceleration of the block is

Answer 1

Given data:

Mass of block is,

`m=50\text{ kg}`

Force -1 is,

`F_1=2.0\text{ N (towards left)}`

Force-2 is,

`F_2=12.0\text{ N (towards right)}`

Assume that, direction towrds right is +x direction and direction towrds left is -x direction.

Formula of acceleration is as follows:

`a=(F_(net))/(m)\ldots(1)`

Here,

`F_(net)\text{ is net force applied on the block}`

Now,

`F_(net)=-F_1+F_2`

Force-1 is negative. Because, direction of force-1 is towards left.

Hence,

`\begin{gathered} F_(net)=-2.0\text{ N+12.0 N} \\ F_(net)=+10.0\text{ N} \end{gathered}`

Now, substitute known values in equation-(1),

`\begin{gathered} a=\frac{+10.0\text{ N}}{50\text{ kg}} \\ a=+0.2m/s^2 \end{gathered}`

Here, +ve sign indicates that direction of acceleration is towards right