Final answer:
Using Newton's second law, the net force on the bamboo stick is 6 N to the left. Since the mass of the stick is 3 kg, the magnitude of the acceleration is calculated as 2 m/s². The correct answer is B. 2 m/s².
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves Newton's second law of motion, which states that the net force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma). To find the magnitude of the acceleration of the bamboo stick pulled by Mei Xiang (mama) and Tian Tian (papa), we must first determine the net force acting on the stick. Mei Xiang pulls with a force of 18 N to the left, and Tian Tian pulls with a force of 12 N to the right. The net force is the difference between these two forces.
Net Force = Force by Mei Xiang - Force by Tian Tian = 18 N - 12 N = 6 N (to the left).
Now, using Newton's second law:
Acceleration (a) = Net Force / Mass
a = 6 N / 3 kg
a = 2 m/s²
Therefore, the correct answer is B. 2 m/s².