Final answer:
The formula for acceleration in physics given mass and force is a = Fnet/m, as derived from Newton's second law Fnet = ma. To find the force on an object, such as a 55 kg wagon that accelerates at 0.0255 m/s², you multiply the mass by the acceleration resulting in a force of 1.4025 N.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formula for acceleration in physics when you have mass and force is derived from Newton's second law of motion, which states Fnet = ma, where Fnet is the net force applied on an object, m is the mass of the object, and a is the acceleration produced. This relationship implies that acceleration is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object. To solve for acceleration, we rearrange the equation to a = Fnet/m.
For example, if a wagon with mass 55 kg accelerates at a rate of 0.0255 m/s², then according to Newton's second law, the force F on the wagon is calculated by multiplying its mass m by its acceleration a. Therefore, F = ma, giving us a force of F = 55 kg × 0.0255 m/s² = 1.4025 N, where N stands for newtons, the unit of force.