Answer:
If a force of 200 N is exerted on an object of mass 40 kg, we can calculate the acceleration of the object using Newton's second law of motion:
F = m * a
where:
F is the force applied (200 N),
m is the mass of the object (40 kg),
a is the acceleration of the object.
Plugging in the values:
200 N = 40 kg * a
Solving for a:
a = 200 N / 40 kg
a = 5 m/s^2
Therefore, the acceleration produced by the 200 N force on the first object is 5 m/s^2.
Now, if a second object, identical to the first object, is placed on top of the first object, the force of 200 N will act on the combined mass of both objects. Since the second object has the same mass (40 kg), the total mass will be 40 kg + 40 kg = 80 kg.
Using the same formula, the acceleration produced by the 200 N force on the combined mass of both objects will be:
a = 200 N / 80 kg
a = 2.5 m/s^2
Therefore, the acceleration produced by the 200 N force on the combined mass of the two objects is 2.5 m/s^2.