Skip to main content
Ch 05: Force and Motion
Chapter 5, Problem 5

A constant force is applied to an object, causing the object to accelerate at 10 m/s². What will the acceleration be if d. The force is halved and the object's mass is doubled?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the initial conditions where a force F causes an acceleration of 10 m/s².
Understand that acceleration (a) is given by Newton's second law, which states a = F/m, where F is the force applied and m is the mass of the object.
Recognize the new conditions: the force is halved (F/2) and the mass is doubled (2m).
Substitute these new values into Newton's second law to find the new acceleration: a' = (F/2) / (2m).
Simplify the expression to find the new acceleration in terms of the original acceleration: a' = F/(4m) = (1/4) * (F/m) = (1/4) * 10 m/s².

Verified Solution

Video duration:
6m
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Newton's Second Law of Motion

Newton's Second Law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. This relationship is expressed by the formula F = ma, where F is the net force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration. Understanding this law is crucial for analyzing how changes in force and mass affect an object's acceleration.
Recommended video:
Guided course
06:54
Intro to Forces & Newton's Second Law

Force and Mass Relationship

The relationship between force, mass, and acceleration is fundamental in physics. When the force applied to an object is altered, or when the mass of the object changes, the resulting acceleration will also change according to Newton's Second Law. Specifically, if the force is halved while the mass is doubled, the overall effect on acceleration must be calculated to determine the new acceleration.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:43
Relationships Between Force, Field, Energy, Potential

Acceleration Calculation

Acceleration is calculated by rearranging Newton's Second Law to a = F/m. In the scenario where the force is halved and the mass is doubled, the new acceleration can be determined by substituting the modified values into this equation. This calculation is essential for predicting how the object's motion will change under the new conditions.
Recommended video:
Guided course
05:33
Calculating Change in Velocity from Acceleration-Time Graphs