Question

Two siblings are in a funny mood and push each other away with a force of 20 N. If sibling 1 has a mass of 50 kg and sibling 2 a mass of 60 kg, what will be the ratio between their respective accelerations (sibling 1 : sibling 2)? (2 significant figures)

Answer 1

`\large\boxed{\large\boxed{(a_1)/(a_2)=1.2}}`

Step-by-step explanation:

Newton's second law states the the net force exerted over a body,
`F`, is proportional to the product of its mass,
`m` , and its acceleration,
`a` :

`F=m* a`

As a consequence of Newton's third law, action and reaction forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. Hence, 20 N is the same magnitude of the forces over each sibling.

1. Sibling 1:

`20N=50kg* a_1`

2. Sibling 2:

`20N=60kg* a_2`

3. Ratio sibling 1: sibling 2:

`(20N)/(20N) =(50kg* a_1)/(60kg* a_2)`

`(a_1)/(a_2)=(60)/(50)=1.2`