Question

a 10.0 kg block on a smooth horizontal surface is acted upon by two forces: a horizontal force of 30 N acting to the right and a horizontal force of 60N to the left. What acceleration will the block experience?

Answer 1

`a=-3\ m/s^2`

Step-by-step explanation:

Second Newton's Law

It allows to compute the acceleration of an object of mass m subject to a net force Fn. The relation is given by

`F_n=m.a`

The net force is the sum of all vector forces applied to the object. The block has two horizontal forces applied (in absence of friction): The 30 N force acting to the right and the 60 N force to the left. The positive horizontal direction is assumed to the right, so the net force is

`F_n=30\ N-60\ N=-30\ N`

Thus, the acceleration can be computed by

`\displaystyle a=(F_n)/(m)=(-30)/(10)=-3\ m/s^2`

`\boxed{\displaystyle a=-3\ m/s^2}`

The negative sign indicates the block is accelerated to the left