Chapter SH, Problem 3.5APP

To determine

To Calculate: The acceleration of the mass.

Answer to Problem 3.5APP

  $20{\text{m/s}}^2$ (west)

Explanation of Solution

Given:

Mass, $m=160\text{kg}$

Force, $F=3200\text{N}$ (west)

Formula Used:

From Newton’s second law of motion, the net force would be:

  ${\displaystyle \sum F=ma}$

Here, m is the mass and a is the acceleration.

Calculations:

Substitute the values and solve:

  $\begin{array}{l}{F}_{net}=ma\\ 3200=160\times a\\ a=20{\text{m/s}}^2\text{(west)}\end{array}$

Conclusion:

Thus, the acceleration of the mass is $20{\text{m/s}}^2$ in west direction.