Question

While dragging a crate a workman exerts a force of 628 N. Later, the mass of the crate is increased by a factor of 3.8. If the workman exerts the same force, how does the new acceleration compare to the old acceleration?

Answer 1

The acceleration would decrease by a factor of 3.8.

Step-by-step explanation:

Force = mass x acceleration

F = ma

If the mass is increased by a factor of 3.8. New mass = 3.8 m

If the same force is exerted, then acceleration is inversely proportional to mass and it changes by:

`\frac {3.8 m}{m} = \frac{a} {a'}\\ \Rightarrow a' = \frac {a} {3.8}`

Answer 2

Force applied = F = 628 N
Acceleration = a m/s²
Newton's 2nd law of motion : F = Ma
a = F/M -------- (1)
New mass of the crate = M1 = 3.8M kg
New acceleration = a1 = F/M1 = F/(3.8 M) ----- (2)
a1/a = {F/(3.8M)}/(F/M) = 1/3.8 = 10/38 = 5/19 ------- Answer