Final Answer:
The magnitude of the acceleration right after the top half of the block breaks free from the bottom half and accelerates toward the surface can be calculated using the equation a = g, where g is the acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, the magnitude of its acceleration right after it breaks free is approximately 9.81 m/s^2.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the top half of the block breaks free from the bottom half, it experiences a sudden change in its motion. At this point, only the force due to gravity acts on the top half of the block. According to Newton’s second law of motion, F = ma, where F is the force and m is the mass of the object.
In this case, since only gravity is acting on the block, we can use F = mg, where g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s^2). Therefore, the magnitude of its acceleration right after it breaks free is approximately 9.81 m/s^2.
In summary, as soon as the top half of the block breaks free from the bottom half and accelerates toward the surface, it experiences an acceleration equal to that of gravity.
This means that its magnitude of acceleration right after breaking free is approximately 9.81 m/s^2, as determined by Newton’s second law and the force due to gravity.