Question

Find the acceleration if 18 kg is pulling 7 kg.

a) 5 m/s²
b) 2 m/s²
c) 1 m/s²
d) 3 m/s²

Answer 1

When two masses are connected by a rope or string and one is pulling the other, the tension in the rope is the same for both masses. b) 2 m/s².

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the acceleration when a 18 kg mass is pulling a 7 kg mass, we can use Newton's second law of motion, which states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration (F = m * a). In this case, the force is the tension in the rope connecting the two masses.

Let's denote the acceleration as 'a' and set up the equation for each mass:

`\[ F_(18) = m_(18) \cdot a \]`

`\[ F_(7) = m_(7) \cdot a \]`

Given that the mass of the first object (18 kg) is pulling the second object (7 kg), we have:

`\[ F_(18) = F_(7) \]`

Substituting in the known values:

`\[ 18 \cdot a = 7 \cdot a \]`

Solving for 'a', we get:

`\[ a = (7)/(18) \, \text{m/s²} \]`

Therefore, the correct acceleration is 2 m/s².