Question

gotten this far f= 50kg x 1 m/s^2 only need f
using newtons 2nd law, f=ma, where F is the force applied to an object, m is the object's mass and a is the acceleration the object, solve the question below.

A 50kg block sits on the floor. Student A pushes the block to the left with a force of 100N. Student B stands on the other side of the block and pushes it to the right with a force of 50N. What will the acceleration of the block be?

the acceleration will be 1 m/s^2 dont know how to formulate it with 2 forces acting upon it

Answer 1

This is what the free body diagram would look like

the net force is to the left because the 100 N aimed left is larger than the 50 N aimed right. So overall the person pushing left wins the battle so to speak.

So you'll use
F = ma
with
F = 50 newtons
m = 50 kg
to solve for 'a'

Answer 2

i have that already figured out i just dont know how to formulate it into the f=ma formula i hav it mostly done but idont know what to put for f. f= 50kg x 1 m/s^2

Answer 3

F = 50 is the net force shown in the diagram
m = 50 is given

F = ma
50 = 50*a
a = ??

Answer 4

so its 50 even though there is 2 separate forces acting on it?

Answer 5

Yes the two separate forces combine to the single force of 50 N to the left

Answer 6

It's like taking 1 step forward, but then 2 steps back. Overall, the direction of motion is moving backward (ie to the left).

Answer 7

ok thank you

Answer 8

You're welcome