When a constant force is applied to an object, the acceleration of the object varies inversely with its mass.

Question

When a certain constant force acts upon an object with mass 2 kg, the acceleration of the object is 22 /ms2. When the same force acts upon another object, its acceleration is 4m/s². What is the mass of this object

Answer 1

Known

F = C N

M1 = 2 Kg

a1 = 22 m/s^2

a2 = 4m/s^2

Unknown

M2 = ? Kg

Concepts

Newtons Second Law of Physics : F = ma

Force is equal to its mass times acceleration

Or

F/M = 1/M *F = a

Acceleration varies inversely to its mass

Write Newton's Second Law in terms of known variables

F = C = M1 * a1 = M2 * a2

Substitute known values

F = C Newtons = M1 * a1 = 2 Kg * 22 m/s^2 = 44 N

Solve for the unknown variable M2

F = 44 Newtons = M2 * a2 = M2 * 4 m/s^2

(44 Newton / 4 M/s^2) = M2 = 11 Kg

Answer:

M2 = 11 Kg

Answer 2

According to Newton's Second Law

F = m a

In your case, m = 2 kg and a = 22 m/s²

F = m a = 2 kg × 22 m/s² = 44 N

When the same force (44 N) is applied to a new object, its acceleration is 4 m/s²

We can write the Newton's Second Law as

44 N = m_{new object} × 4 m/s²

From that we can find that

m_{new object} = 44 N / 4 m/s² = 11 kg