Question

A 20N force pulls to the right and friction pulls 5N.

If the mass is 5kg, find the acceleration

Answer 1

Answer : The acceleration is, 3 m/s²

Explanation :

As, a 20 N force pulls to the right and friction pulls 5 N which is less.

Friction force is the force that applied to the opposite direction of the motion of an object.

That means, these two forces are applied in opposite direction.

So, net force will be, 20 N - 5 N = 15 N

Now we have to calculate the acceleration.

Formula used :

Force = Mass × Acceleration

Now put all the given values in this formula, we get:

15 N = 5 kg × Acceleration

Acceleration = 3 m/s²

Therefore, the acceleration is, 3 m/s²

Answer 2

So obviously the 20N pulls more than the 5N. Friction opposes direction of motion, so the 5N opposes the 20N and the two forces are against each other.

Net force would be in the direction of the 20N force: 20N - 5N = 15N.

Force = mass*acceleration
15 = (5)*acceleration
acceleration = 3m/s^2