Question

a 10.0 kg block on a smooth horizontal surface is acted upon by two forces: a horizontal force of 30 N acting to the right and a horizontal force of 60N to the left. What acceleration will the block experience?

Answer 1

Answer:

$a=-3\ m/s^2$

Explanation:

Second Newton's Law

It allows to compute the acceleration of an object of mass m subject to a net force Fn. The relation is given by

$F_n=m.a$

The net force is the sum of all vector forces applied to the object. The block has two horizontal forces applied (in absence of friction): The 30 N force acting to the right and the 60 N force to the left. The positive horizontal direction is assumed to the right, so the net force is

$F_n=30\ N-60\ N=-30\ N$

Thus, the acceleration can be computed by

$\displaystyle a=\frac{F_n}{m}=\frac{-30}{10}=-3\ m/s^2$

$\boxed{\displaystyle a=-3\ m/s^2}$

The negative sign indicates the block is accelerated to the left