Question

A 12 lb fishing line can support a 12 lb test. If a 5.0 lb fish is hooked instead, what is the largest upward acceleration the fishing line holding the 5.0 lb fish can experience before breaking?

Answer 1

The largest upward acceleration the fishing line holding the 5.0 lb fish can experience before breaking is 1.0 lb.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to determine the largest upward acceleration the fishing line can experience before breaking, we need to calculate the tension in the fishing line when the 5.0 lb fish is hooked. The tension in the fishing line is equal to the weight of the fish, since the fish is at rest. So, the tension is 5.0 lb.

Using Newton's second law, we know that force equals mass times acceleration. In this case, the force is the tension in the fishing line, which is 5.0 lb. The mass is 5.0 lb, and the acceleration is the unknown. So we have:

Tension = mass x acceleration

5.0 lb = 5.0 lb x acceleration

Dividing both sides of the equation by 5.0 lb, we get:

1.0 = acceleration

Therefore, the largest upward acceleration the fishing line holding the 5.0 lb fish can experience before breaking is 1.0 lb.