A steady 50 N horizontal force is applied to a 10 kg object on a table. The object slides against a friction force of 35 N. Calculate the acceleration of the object in m/s.
2.3 m/s
To calculate the acceleration of the object, we can use 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. Mathematically, this can be expressed as:
Net Force = Mass × Acceleration
In this scenario, the net force is the difference between the applied force and the friction force. The applied force is 50 N, and the friction force is 35 N. The mass of the object is given as 10 kg.
Net Force = Applied Force - Friction Force
= 50 N - 35 N
= 15 N
Now, we can plug this value of net force into the equation:
Net Force = Mass × Acceleration
15 N = 10 kg × Acceleration
To isolate the acceleration variable, we can rearrange the equation:
Acceleration = Net Force / Mass
Acceleration = 15 N / 10 kg
Acceleration = 1.5 m/s²
Therefore, the acceleration of the object is 1.5 m/s².