Final answer:
The acceleration of the ball is 3.53 m/s^2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the acceleration of the ball, we can use the formula:
acceleration = (applied force - force of gravity) / mass
Since the incline is frictionless, there is no frictional force. The force of gravity can be calculated using the formula:
force of gravity = mass * gravitational acceleration
Substituting the given values, we have:
force of gravity = 3.0 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 = 29.4 N
Now we can substitute the values into the acceleration formula:
acceleration = (40 N - 29.4 N) / 3.0 kg
acceleration = 10.6 N / 3.0 kg = 3.53 m/s^2
Therefore, the acceleration of the ball is 3.53 m/s^2.