Chapter 7, Problem 9A

When a cannon is fired, why do the cannon-ball and cannon have very different accelerations?

To determine

The reason that cannon ball and cannon have very different accelerations.

Answer to Problem 9A

Because of different mass of cannon ball and cannon.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

According to Newton’s second law of motion, if the force $F$ is applied to the mass $m$ , then the acceleration produced is given by,

  $a=\frac{F}{m}$

As can be seen from above expression, the acceleration produced is inversely proportional to the mass. And, the same force is applied to both the cannon ball and cannon. Thus, for the same applied force, the accelerations produced is them will be inversely proportional to their masses.

Conclusion:

Hence, the cannon ball will have more acceleration as compared to that of the cannon.