Question

Suppose that you exert 500 N horizontally on a 40kg crate on a factory floor. The friction between the floor and the crate is 200 N. What is the acceleration of the crate?

Answer 1

The acceleration of the crate is 7.5 m/s²

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

force exerted on the crate, F₁ = 500 N

mass of the crate, m = 40 kg

frictional force between the floor and the crate, F₂ = 200 N

The net horizontal force is given by;

∑Fₓ = F₁ - F₂

∑Fₓ = 500 N - 200 N

∑Fₓ = 300 N

Apply Newton's second law of motion to determine the acceleration of the crate;

∑Fₓ = ma

a = ∑Fₓ / m

a = 300 N / 40 kg

a = 7.5 m/s²

Therefore, the acceleration of the crate is 7.5 m/s²