A particles has a mass of 0.5 kg and a velocity of 734 m/s along the x axis when a force of 21 N along the y axis acts on the particle at right angles to the velocity. The acceleration of the particle is ____ m/s2

To find the acceleration of the particle, 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.

Given:
Mass of the particle (m) = 0.5 kg
Force acting on the particle (F) = 21 N
Velocity of the particle (v) = 734 m/s

Since the force acts at right angles to the velocity, it is a perpendicular force, which means it does not affect the particle's speed along the x-axis. However, it does cause the particle to change direction, resulting in acceleration.

First, let's find the acceleration caused by the force:

Acceleration due to force (a) = F / m

Substituting the given values, we have:
a = 21 N / 0.5 kg

Calculating the value:
a = 42 m/s²

Therefore, the acceleration of the particle is 42 m/s².