Chapter 6, Problem 5A

If the net force acting on a sliding block is tripled, what happens to the acceleration?

To determine

To explain: Effect on acceleration for the given condition.

Answer to Problem 5A

The acceleration gets tripled, $a\text{'}=3a$

Explanation of Solution

Given:

Force on the sliding block is tripled.

Formula Used:

From Newton’s second law, the net force is given as

  $F=ma$

Where, $m$ is mass of object and $a$ is acceleration.

Calculation:

Let, the initial force on the block is F , mass of the block is m and acceleration is a ,

If force is tripled then $F\text{'}=3F$

Mass of the block remains same, $m\text{'}=m$

Now,

  $\begin{array}{l}F\text{'}=m\text{'}a\text{'}\\ \Rightarrow 3F=m\times a\text{'}\\ \Rightarrow a\text{'}=3.\frac{F}{m}=3a\end{array}$

Conclusion:

Therefore, the acceleration gets tripled that is $a\text{'}=3a$ .