Question

A force causes an acceleration of 10 m s^-2 in a body of mass 500 g. What acceleration will be caused by the same force in a body of mass 5 kg?

Answer 1

Let the force be F.

Force F causes an acceleration, a = 10 m/s² in a body of mass, m = 500 g or 0.5 kg

Thus, F = ma

Or, F = (0.5) (10) = 5 N

Let a' be the acceleration which force F (=5N) cause on a body of mass, m' = 5 kg.

Then, a' = F/m'.

Or, a' = (5/5) ms^-2.

Or, a' = 1 ms^-2.