A 5.0 kg block has an acceleration of 0.20 m/s2 when a force is exerted on it. A second block has an acceleration of 0.10 m/s2 when subject to the same force. What is the mass of the second block?

Question

A 5.0 kg block has an acceleration of 0.20 m/s2 when a force is exerted on it. A second block has an acceleration of 0.10 m/s2 when subject to the same force. What is the mass of the second block?

Answer 1

F = ma

F₁ = m₁a₁ = (5 kg)(.20 m/s²) = 1 N

F₁ = F₂

F₂ = m₂a₂

1N = m₂ (.10 m/s²)

m₂ = (1 N) / (.10 m/s²) = 10 kg